The news of Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson to the stage under the name Rush shook the rock world in late 2025. Currently, the Canadian duo is undergoing rigorous preparation to deliver a perfect show during the Fifty Something, their first in 11 years.
In a recent interview with Planet Rock, guitarist Alex Lifeson revealed details of this grueling routine. According to the musician, the band drastically changed their rehearsal methods to honor their own legacy.
“The difference this time is that we’ve been rehearsing for about a year before the first show. We really want to be at our absolute peak when we start the tour for real,” the guitarist explained.
How Anika Nilles joined Rush
The biggest question on fans' minds has always been who would fill the role of the late Neil Peart. The chosen one for this colossal challenge was German drummer Anika Nilles, recognized for her recent work with guitar legend Jeff Beck.
Geddy Lee explained that the connection happened through his bass technician, Skully, Jeff Beck's touring companion on recent tours. "He came back from that tour raving about how great and friendly she was… I did some research, watched some of her videos, and she's incredibly talented," Lee recalled.
After a video call and five days of practical tests in Canada, the chemistry flowed naturally. Despite starting from scratch, the musician demonstrated an admirable work ethic. "She's ready to face the inevitable scrutiny from Rush fans," praised the bassist. In addition to her, keyboardist Loren Gold will be part of the new live lineup.
What to expect from the Rush concert
Fans can expect epic nights, as the tour will adopt a "One Night With" format, without an opening band. "We'll do two sets. Each will be about an hour or a little more. So, we'll end up playing for about two hours and fifteen or twenty minutes, with an intermission, of course," detailed Geddy Lee.
Furthermore, the presence of the late Neil Peart will be felt throughout the night. "In each of these sets, we'll take a song and do our own way to honor him," revealed the bassist.
Currently, the visual design of the show has become a full-time job. To achieve this, the band has recruited its former and brilliant members of the technical team. "It will be a show in the same vein as what we've done in the past. However, I'm very excited about some of the new technologies we're using," confessed Lee.
To keep the energy high, the group is learning a repertoire of 40 songs. Of that number, about 40% of the setlist will change from one night to the next. Consequently, this will benefit fans who usually attend several shows in a row.
What began as a timid idea for six or seven cities quickly transformed into a global event. The 2026 North American leg has already sold over half a million tickets. Because of this high demand, the initial schedule had to expand from 22 to 58 shows.
The great reward for Brazilians came with the confirmation that Fifty Something will be touring Europe and South America in early 2027. This will be the band's first visit to our continent after a long hiatus of 17 years.
“We haven’t done a tour this big in many years, so we’re going to make sure it’s absolutely perfect, note for note,” promised Geddy Lee. The kickoff will take place at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, coincidentally the same venue where the band ended the R40 over a decade ago.
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