Rush announce 2026 reunion tour and reveal new drummer
Rush duo Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have announced dates for a reunion tour in 2026.
The prog-rock pioneers last toured the world in 2015. Sadly, drummer Neil Peart became ill afterwards and died aged 67 in 2020, which led to Lifeson and Lee confirming that Rush were no more.
However, in recent years, the duo started playing together for fun once again in private, and now, they will be touring once again as Rush. Anika Nilles, who previously worked with Jeff Beck, will be on drumming duties.
The tour, titled Fifty Something, will take Rush across arenas in North America, beginning in Los Angeles on June 7th at the KIA Forum. They will also play in Mexico City, Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, Toronto and Cleveland.
The shows will consist of two Rush sets from “distinct selection of songs and Rush will build each night’s setlist from a catalogue of 35 songs including their greatest hits and fan favorites,” per the press release.
Lee said in a statement: “It’s been over 10 years since Alex and I have performed the music of Rush alongside our fallen bandmate and friend Neil. 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.”
He continued, “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.”
The bassist was also full of praise for Nilles who he admitted was tasked with the “near impossible” task of following in Peart’s footsteps, stating, “Yet life is full of surprises, and we’ve 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.”
Lee then confirmed that Rush hopes to add “one or two” more musicians to their band, which he said will help “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.”
The tour has the full support of Carrie Nuttall-Peart and Olivia Peart, Peart’s widow and daughter. In a joint statement, “We are thrilled to support the Fifty Something tour, celebrating a band whose music has resonated and inspired fans for generations, and to honour Neil’s extraordinary legacy as both a drummer and lyricist.”
They also described his talent as “singular”, before adding, “Inimitable in his artistry, and unmatched in the depth and imagination he brought to the lyrics that inspired and moved so many.”
The Peart family concluded by writing, “As the band enters this new chapter, it promises to be truly unforgettable. We are excited to see how their new vision unfolds, and to hear this legendary music played live once again.”
The full tour dates are listed below. Tickets are set to go on sale to the public on October 17th at 12pm local time, following an artist pre-sale a week prior.
Rush tour dates 2026:
June
- 07 – Los Angeles, CA, Kia Forum
- 09 – Los Angeles, CA,Kia Forum
- 18 – Mexico City, MX, Palacio de los Deportes
- 24 – Fort Worth, TX, Dickies Arena
- 26 – Fort Worth, TX, Dickies Arena
July
- 16 – Chicago, IL, United Center
- 18 – Chicago, IL, United Center
- 28 – New York, NY, Madison Square Garden
- 30 – New York, NY, Madison Square Garden
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