Rush Returns: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson Announce 2026 Tour with New Drummer Anika Nilles

The unthinkable is finally happening. Rush is going back on tour.

A decade after their final concert and five years after the passing of drummer Neil Peart, bassist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson have announced they’re going on tour. The “Fifty Something” Tour will feature multiple shows in seven cities.

Lee helped to announce the news with a statement on the Rush website:

“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. 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.”

Neil Peart’s family also gave their blessing to the tour.

You can see Lee and Lifeson’s camaraderie and excitement in this video announcement:

Rush’s “Fifty Something” Tour will kick off June 7th, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. They will visit Mexico before heading to Texas, Illinois, New York, and their hometown of Toronto, Ontario. The final date is scheduled for September 17, 2026 at the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.