By Steve Newton
Big news for devotees of Canada’s best-ever rock band (look away Hip fanatics).
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have announced that Rush will recruit German drummer Anika Nilles and return to the concert stage next year for a tour that will hit seven North American cities–but not Vancouver, unfortunately.
Nilles, 42, has released four solo albums and performed as Jeff Beck’s drummer for over 60 shows, so you know she’s smokin’ hot.
“It’s been over 10 years since Alex and I have performed the music of Rush alongside our fallen bandmate and friend Neil,” says Lee in a statement released today. “A lifetime’s worth of songs that we had put our cumulative hearts and souls into writing, recording and playing together onstage. And so, after all that has gone down since that last show, Alex and I have done some serious soul searching and come to the decision that we fucking miss it, and that it’s time for a celebration of 50-something years of Rush music.
“So in 2026, my BFF Lerxst (aka Alex Lifeson) and I are going to hit the road once again to pay tribute to our past and to Neil by performing a vast selection of Rush songs in a handful of cities. No small task, because as we all know Neil was irreplaceable.
“Yet life is full of surprises, and we have been introduced to another remarkable person; an incredible drummer and musician who is adding another chapter to our story while continuing her own fascinating musical journey. Her name is Anika Nilles, and we could not be more excited to introduce her to our loyal and dedicated Rush fanbase, whom, we know, will give her every chance to live up to that near impossible role.
“Before we hit the stage, we also hope to add another musician or two to expand our sound a wee bit and free up Alex and I, in order to show off some of our new fancy dance steps. Lerxst, Anika and myself, along with many of our longstanding crew members have been hard at work rehearsing and designing the kind of Rush show you’ve grown accustomed to expect from us. We dearly hope you will come along and help us celebrate our history together.”
Rush’s Fifty Something Tour will touch down at L.A.’s Kia Forum June 7 and 8, Mexico City’s Palacio de los Deportes June 18, Forth Worth’s Dickies Arena June 24 & 26, Chicago’s United Center July 16 & 18, New York City’s Madison Square Garden July 28 & 30, Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena August 7 & 9, and Cleveland’s Rocket Arena September 17.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on October 17, but you can sign up for the Rush artist presale here.
To hear the full audio of my interviews with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson subscribe to my Patreon page, where you can eavesdrop on over 500 of my uncut, one-on-one conversations with rockers since 1982.