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Rush Confirms 2026 North American Arena Tour With Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Drummer Anika Nilles

Geddy Lee says a private week of rehearsals convinced the band it could move forward without Neil Peart.

Overview

  • The tour opens at Los Angeles' Kia Forum, the same venue where Rush closed its R40 run in 2015.
  • German drummer Anika Nilles was recruited after a recommendation from Lee's bass tech following her work with Jeff Beck.
  • Nilles rehearsed with the band in a discreet Canadian studio session for about a week before being selected.
  • Lee says Nilles was not originally a Rush devotee and found the catalog daunting but impressed with her work ethic and technical command.
  • Dates now span June through December across arenas in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with additional shows added in response to heavy demand.