Rush Opens Fifty Something Tour at LA Forum

Views 6 Published by August 23, 2026

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson discuss the band's triumphant return to the stage in June with new drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold, marking their first shows since Neil Peart's death in 2020 and their first concerts in 11 years.

Rush played four nights at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum in June, marking the kick-off of their Fifty Something Tour. The shows represented the band’s first performances since drummer and lyricist Neil Peart died in January 2020, and their first concerts in 11 years.

The tour debuted drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold, expanding Rush to a four-piece for the first time. The band performed four rotating setlists across the four nights, featuring over 40 songs including the full “2112,” all of Moving Pictures, “The Camera Eye,” and “A Farewell to Kings” — which the band had not played since 1979.

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson sat down two days after the initial run to discuss the preparation and execution. Lee described the opening night as nerve-wracking but ultimately successful, noting that Nilles “dropped the drumstick right at the beginning of ‘Xanadu’ and recovered without missing a millisecond.” By the third and fourth nights, both musicians said they felt more relaxed and comfortable onstage.

Lee emphasized the intensive rehearsal schedule, stating the band performed the show “24 times in 27 days” in the final month and a half before touring began. He also discussed managing perfectionism while recognizing when band members needed breaks, saying he adjusted rehearsals to focus on specific songs rather than full sets when he noticed stress on Nilles.

Lifeson highlighted the difficulty of songs like “A Farewell to Kings,” which features complex, shifting time signatures with beats added and dropped throughout the intro and outro. He noted that playing the delicate classical-influenced opening while managing a double-necked guitar created physical and technical challenges.

Lee stressed the importance of physical and vocal preparation, stating he works with a physio person and vocal coach daily during the tour to maintain performance standards. Asked about the ambitious setlist choices, Lee cited the fans, while Lifeson said the band wanted to challenge itself with songs it hadn’t played in years.