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Rush Announces 2026-27 Reunion Tour, Welcomes New Drummer Anika Nilles
Rush, the Canadian progressive‑rock trio known for its virtuosic musicianship, has confirmed a 2026‑27 reunion tour that will mark the band’s first live performances in more than a decade. The tour, titled the Fifty Something Tour, begins on June 7, 2026, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, and will conclude on April 10, 2027, in Helsinki, Finland. The lineup will feature founding members Geddy Lee (bass, vocals) and Alex Lifeson (guitar) alongside German drummer Anika Nilles, who replaces the late Neil Peart, and keyboardist Loren Gold.
The announcement follows the band’s October 2025 press release, in which Lee and Lifeson confirmed that they would return to the stage after an 11‑year hiatus. Peart, who had been the drummer and primary lyricist for Rush since 1974, retired from touring in 2015 and passed away in January 2020. Since the release of Clockwork Angels in 2012, Rush has not issued new studio material or performed live.
Anika Nilles, born May 29, 1983, is a German drummer who gained recognition through YouTube and a touring stint with the Jeff Beck Group in 2022. According to the band’s official website, Nilles was selected for her technical proficiency and ability to replicate Peart’s complex rhythmic patterns. The tour will also feature Loren Gold on keyboards, making it the first time Rush has performed with more than three core musicians.
The Fifty Something Tour will include a mix of classic tracks from the band’s catalog of 19 studio albums. Setlists are expected to feature fan favorites such as “Tom Sawyer,” “The Spirit of Radio,” “Fly by Night,” and “Limelight.” The tour’s schedule includes a high‑profile stop at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on December 1, 2026, as announced by the venue’s event calendar.
Rush’s legacy is underscored by their commercial success and critical acclaim. As of 2024, the band has sold over 26 million albums in the United States and more than 42 million worldwide. They were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. The reunion tour is positioned as a celebration of the band’s 50‑plus‑year career and an opportunity for long‑time fans to experience the group’s signature blend of progressive rock and hard‑rock songwriting.
Tickets for the Kia Forum shows went on sale in early May 2026, with the venue’s capacity of 17,500 seats. The tour’s itinerary, as listed on Rush’s official site, includes stops across North America, Europe, and Asia, culminating in a final performance in Helsinki. While the band has not released new material since 2012, the tour’s emphasis on a comprehensive retrospective is expected to attract both longtime listeners and newer audiences familiar with Rush’s influence on modern rock.
In summary, Rush’s Fifty Something Tour marks the band’s return to live performance after an extended break, introduces Anika Nilles as the new drummer, and expands the lineup with keyboardist Loren Gold. The tour will run from June 2026 to April 2027, featuring a setlist that spans the group’s extensive catalog. Fans can attend shows at venues such as the Kia Forum and Desert Diamond Arena, while the band continues to celebrate its enduring impact on the rock genre.
The announcement follows the band’s October 2025 press release, in which Lee and Lifeson confirmed that they would return to the stage after an 11‑year hiatus. Peart, who had been the drummer and primary lyricist for Rush since 1974, retired from touring in 2015 and passed away in January 2020. Since the release of Clockwork Angels in 2012, Rush has not issued new studio material or performed live.
Anika Nilles, born May 29, 1983, is a German drummer who gained recognition through YouTube and a touring stint with the Jeff Beck Group in 2022. According to the band’s official website, Nilles was selected for her technical proficiency and ability to replicate Peart’s complex rhythmic patterns. The tour will also feature Loren Gold on keyboards, making it the first time Rush has performed with more than three core musicians.
The Fifty Something Tour will include a mix of classic tracks from the band’s catalog of 19 studio albums. Setlists are expected to feature fan favorites such as “Tom Sawyer,” “The Spirit of Radio,” “Fly by Night,” and “Limelight.” The tour’s schedule includes a high‑profile stop at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, on December 1, 2026, as announced by the venue’s event calendar.
Rush’s legacy is underscored by their commercial success and critical acclaim. As of 2024, the band has sold over 26 million albums in the United States and more than 42 million worldwide. They were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. The reunion tour is positioned as a celebration of the band’s 50‑plus‑year career and an opportunity for long‑time fans to experience the group’s signature blend of progressive rock and hard‑rock songwriting.
Tickets for the Kia Forum shows went on sale in early May 2026, with the venue’s capacity of 17,500 seats. The tour’s itinerary, as listed on Rush’s official site, includes stops across North America, Europe, and Asia, culminating in a final performance in Helsinki. While the band has not released new material since 2012, the tour’s emphasis on a comprehensive retrospective is expected to attract both longtime listeners and newer audiences familiar with Rush’s influence on modern rock.
In summary, Rush’s Fifty Something Tour marks the band’s return to live performance after an extended break, introduces Anika Nilles as the new drummer, and expands the lineup with keyboardist Loren Gold. The tour will run from June 2026 to April 2027, featuring a setlist that spans the group’s extensive catalog. Fans can attend shows at venues such as the Kia Forum and Desert Diamond Arena, while the band continues to celebrate its enduring impact on the rock genre.
