Rush kicked off their Fifty One thing reunion tour on Sunday at Los Angeles’ Kia Discussion board, marking a night of firsts: their first full-length live performance in almost 11 years, their first headlining present because the demise of drummer Neil Peart and, consequently, their first full present with new drummer Anika Nilles.
Nilles, who beforehand performed in Jeff Beck‘s touring band, had massive footwear to fill — and he or she did so with panache. The TapeheadToo YouTube account has uploaded drum cam footage of the total live performance, which comprised 24 songs from all through Rush’s illustrious discography.
Throughout present opener “Xanadu,” Nilles fumbled a drumstick however rapidly recovered it and continued taking part in the fill as if nothing had occurred. Satirically, the almost indecipherable error appeared to have labored in her favor, because the viewers applauded her restoration and bolstered the vitality and goodwill for the night.
You may watch Nilles’ masterful efficiency within the almost three-hour video under.
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Watch Anika Nilles Play at Rush’s Fifty One thing Reunion Tour Kickoff (June 7, 2026)
How Rush Honored Neil Peart at Fifty One thing Tour Kickoff
Peart, who died in 2020 on the age of 67, was clearly entrance of thoughts for Rush and their followers on the Fifty One thing tour kickoff present, which featured quite a few tributes to the late drummer. Singer and bassist Geddy Lee rapidly made that clear when he addressed the viewers after the band’s first tune, “Xanadu.”
“We’re right here for thus many causes,” Lee mentioned. “We’re right here to have a good time over 50 years of music that [Alex Lifeson], myself and the good Neil Peart made collectively. We’re right here to pay tribute to Neil.”
The live performance ended with one other memorable tribute to Peart. Actors Paul Rudd and Jason Segel — who additionally appeared in a brief movie that opened the present — returned to the display to reprise their roles as diehard Rush followers from the 2009 comedy I Love You, Man. Each actors paused their jam session to debate the pronunciation of Peart’s final title whereas referring to the drummer as “the almighty, one of the best on the planet, ever.”
Rush’s Fifty One thing Tour resumes on Tuesday in Los Angeles and is presently scheduled to run by April 2027.
See extra photographs from Rush’s opening night time under:
Rush Opening Night time 2026 Picture Gallery
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson carried out their first present collectively in 11 years.
