On October 6, 2025, the enduring legacy of Rush took a momentous turn when co-founders Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson revealed plans for the band’s return to the stage after an 11-year hiatus. The announcement, made during a press event at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, details the “Fifty Something” tour—a limited 12-date run across seven North American cities scheduled for summer 2026. This marks Rush’s first performances since the conclusion of their R40 tour on August 1, 2015, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, and their initial shows following the death of drummer and lyricist Neil Peart from glioblastoma on January 7, 2020.
The tour is positioned as a celebration of Rush’s five-decade catalog, encompassing progressive rock anthems, intricate compositions, and thematic explorations that have defined the band’s influence. Lee and Lifeson emphasized the emotional significance of resuming live performances without Peart, whom they described as “irreplaceable.” In a statement released via the band’s official channels and reported by multiple outlets, Lee reflected: “Alex and I have done some serious soul searching and come to the decision that we fucking miss it. It’s time for a celebration of 50-something years of Rush music.” The outing will feature two-set “evening with” concerts, drawing from a curated list of 35 songs including staples like “Tom Sawyer,” “Limelight,” and “Working Man,” with variations each night to honor the band’s depth.
Central to this revival is the introduction of German drummer Anika Nilles, a 42-year-old virtuoso whose selection bridges Rush’s storied past with contemporary innovation. Nilles, born on May 29, 1983, in Aschaffenburg, Germany, steps into Peart’s formidable role, bringing technical mastery honed through solo work, collaborations, and educational outreach. Her involvement was endorsed by Peart’s widow, Carrie Nuttall-Peart, and daughter, Olivia Peart, who stated: “We are thrilled to support the ‘Fifty Something’ tour, celebrating a band whose music has resonated and inspired fans for generations, and to honor Neil’s extraordinary legacy as both a drummer and lyricist.”
The path to Nilles’ enlistment underscores the deliberate care Lee and Lifeson took in this transition. As Lifeson noted during the announcement, recent health improvements allowed the duo to revisit Rush material in Lee’s home studio, reigniting their passion for the band’s challenging arrangements. “To be challenged with that again was really, really exciting,” Lifeson shared. The recommendation originated from Lee’s bass technician, John “Skully” McIntosh, who had worked with Nilles on Jeff Beck’s 2022 European tour. Intrigued, Lee reviewed her performances and invited her to secret rehearsals in Canada—not as a formal audition, but as collaborative sessions to explore compatibility. “No matter who the drummer is, they all have their own perception of what it’s like to play a Rush song,” Lee explained. Nilles’ affinity for odd time signatures and dynamic phrasing, hallmarks of Rush’s sound, proved a natural fit.
Nilles’ career trajectory exemplifies dedication and versatility, making her an apt collaborator for Rush’s complex oeuvre. Emerging from a family of percussionists, she began drumming at age six and pursued formal training at the University of Popular Music and Music Business in Mannheim. After a decade in social education, she transitioned to full-time musicianship around 2010, leveraging YouTube to showcase original compositions and covers that amassed millions of views. Her style—marked by precise footwork, ghost notes, and emotional nuance—earned accolades, including Modern Drummer’s Up and Coming Artist in 2016 and DRUM! Magazine’s #1 Rising Star.
To contextualize Nilles’ ascent and its alignment with Rush’s ethos, the following milestones highlight her professional evolution:
- 2014 Viral Breakthrough with “Wild Boy”: Nilles’ self-produced track “Wild Boy” garnered over a million views shortly after release, establishing her as a digital force in drumming. This exposure led to invitations at major festivals like Modern Drummer Festival, shifting her from local teaching to global clinician status and emphasizing her blend of technical skill with melodic sensitivity.
- 2016 “Alter Ego” Release and Early Awards: Building on her online momentum, the single “Alter Ego” secured the Modern Drummer Readers Poll win, validating her fusion-rock hybrid. These honors facilitated features in industry media and collaborations, reinforcing her reputation for serving the song’s narrative through subtle dynamics rather than overt flash.
- 2017 Debut Album Pikalar: Her first full-length effort with backing band Nevell, Pikalar, fused acoustic drums with electronic elements, earning critical praise for innovation. The project, independently produced, topped charts in drum circles and appeared on Modern Drummer’s cover, showcasing her compositional range from jazz-inflected grooves to prog-inspired builds.
- 2019 Educational Expansion: As demand grew, Nilles became a fixture at institutions like Drumeo and Nexus ICA, developing curricula focused on expressive technique. This phase refined her live rig, including custom Meinl cymbals, and cultivated a mentorship role, influencing aspiring drummers with her philosophy of embodiment in performance.
- 2022 Jeff Beck Tour Collaboration: Joining Beck for over 60 European dates, Nilles navigated improvisational jazz-rock with precision, adapting to his eclectic style. This high-stakes exposure, as Beck’s final tour before his passing in January 2023, directly linked her to Rush via McIntosh and highlighted her ensemble adaptability.
- 2020-2025 Solo Releases and Production: Albums like For a Colorful Soul (2020), Opuntia (2022), and False Truth (2025) demonstrate her growth as a producer, mentoring emerging artists in her German studio. These works prioritize sustainability in creative careers, drawing from her own mid-career pivot, and prepare her for symphonic demands like Rush’s.
- Influences and Philosophy: Nilles draws from Peart’s progressive precision, alongside jazz figures like Brian Blade and fusion pioneers such as Billy Cobham. “Drums are such a physical instrument,” she has articulated, prioritizing emotional conveyance—a resonance with Rush’s intellectual yet visceral approach.
The tour itinerary strategically revisits venues tied to Rush’s history, commencing at the Kia Forum on June 7 and 9, 2026, symbolically bookending their live era. Subsequent dates include June 18 in Mexico City at Palacio de los Deportes; June 24 and 26 in Fort Worth, Texas, at Dickies Arena; July 16 and 18 in Chicago at United Center; July 28 and 30 in New York at Madison Square Garden; August 7 and 9 in Toronto at Scotiabank Arena; and concluding September 17 in Cleveland at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Each performance will incorporate tributes to Peart, such as archival footage and narrative segments evoking his sci-fi lyricism, with potential additions like a keyboardist to enhance staging freedom for Lee and Lifeson.
Presale tickets for Rush’s official fan club commence October 13, 2025, followed by general onsale on October 17 via Ticketmaster. Production elements, including visuals reminiscent of the Clockwork Angels era, remain forthcoming, but the band has committed to accessibility features like enhanced seating and sensory supports. Proceeds will partly benefit Peart-associated causes, including youth literacy initiatives.
Public response has been swift and multifaceted, blending jubilation with reflective reverence. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), erupted with posts celebrating the news, such as one user declaring, “Anika Nilles is officially the new drummer for Rush… she wowed Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson after rocking with Jeff Beck.” Hashtags like #RushTour2026 and #AnikaNilles trended, with fans praising her “insane technique and fresh energy.” Forums and veteran enthusiasts echoed Lee’s optimism, viewing the tour as cathartic evolution rather than replacement. Younger audiences, introduced to Rush via streaming, expressed eagerness for Nilles’ modern lens on classics.
This development arrives amid Rush’s ongoing archival efforts, including the March 21, 2025, release of the 50-track anthology RUSH 50 and a vinyl reissue of their 2002-2012 albums. While the official Rush website has yet to update with tour specifics as of October 7, 2025, the announcement’s consistency across outlets like Rolling Stone, Loudwire, and Blabbermouth confirms its authenticity.
In summary, the “Fifty Something” tour represents a poignant reclamation of Rush’s artistry, honoring Peart’s indelible contributions while embracing Nilles’ vitality. As Lee and Lifeson prepare to channel their catalog anew, this chapter reaffirms the band’s resilience, inviting devotees to partake in a symphony of memory and renewal. For the latest developments, monitoring official channels is advised, as ticket demand is anticipated to exceed capacity rapidly.