Canadian rock legends Rush made sure to celebrate the life and legacy of their late drummer Neil Peart throughout the opening performance of their highly anticipated “Fifty Something” comeback tour.
Peart, who passed away in January 2020 following a battle with a rare form of brain cancer, was a foundational pillar of Rush‘s distinctive sound. Beyond being recognized as one of the most technically gifted drummers in rock history, he also served as the band’s primary lyricist. The “Fifty Something” tour launched on Sunday night, June 7 at the Forum in Los Angeles, which is the exact same venue where Rush played their final concert with Peart.
When frontman Geddy Lee first addressed the massive Los Angeles crowd, honoring his departed bandmate and friend was his primary focus.
“We’re here for so many reasons,” Lee noted. “We’re here to celebrate over 50 years of music that [Alex Lifeson], myself and the great Neil Peart made together. We’re here to pay tribute to Neil.”
The mention of Peart drew a massive, sustained ovation from the dedicated Rush fanbase in attendance. Five songs into the setlist, the venue’s large screens displayed a video montage highlighting the drummer’s iconic performances, accompanied by heartfelt narration from Peart himself.
“Drumming became an instrument of self-esteem for me,” he said in part. “I consider my whole career to be a reflection of me at 16 and what my values were. And what I thought the idea of artistic integrity was and what it should be devoted to.”
Following the emotional video package, the band transitioned into a performance of “Bravado“, a standout track originally featured on their 1991 studio album, Roll the Bones.
The tributes continued into the second half of the sprawling concert. During the band’s second set, Rush surprised the audience by bringing out special guest Aimee Mann. Together, they performed their collaborative 1987 single “Time Stand Still“, marking a historic live moment that brought some of Peart‘s finest lyrical work to life. Geddy Lee perfectly melded voices with the singer and appeared visibly moved by her participation.
“Please, a round of applause for Aimee Mann,” he remarked to the audience. “Coming out here to make this night, to honor Neil and make it special.”
Alongside various visual nods to the drummer incorporated into the stage production, the concert concluded with a lighthearted, comedic tribute. Actors Paul Rudd and Jason Segel, who had previously appeared in a short video sketch that opened the show, returned to the screens to reprise their roles as hardcore Rush superfans from the 2009 comedy film “I Love You, Man“. The characters hilariously interrupted their own jam session to debate the proper pronunciation of Peart‘s last name, ultimately praising the legendary musician as “the almighty, the best in the world, ever.”
Prior to the massive Los Angeles kickoff, Rush made their live public debut in late March at Canada’s Juno Awards in Hamilton, Ontario. During the ceremony, the group performed “Finding My Way” from their 1974 self-titled debut album, Rush, notably the only full-length studio release in their catalog that did not feature Peart. Before the “Fifty Something” tour, Lee and Lifeson‘s only live performances together since 2015 were under their own names, participating in high-profile tribute events for artists like Gordon Lightfoot and Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.
The landmark return introduces a completely revamped touring lineup. Classic members Geddy Lee (vocals, bass) and Alex Lifeson (guitar) have enlisted German drummer Anika Nilles, who prominently toured alongside guitar virtuoso Jeff Beck in 2022. to take on the demanding role behind the kit. Additionally, the band has expanded their live sound with the addition of keyboardist Loren Gold, a seasoned touring musician best known for his work with The Who and Chicago.
Rush 2026 “Fifty Something” Tour – June 7 Setlist at Kia Forum:
- (Tape) Where’s Rush?
- “Xanadu” (first time as show opener)
- “Limelight” (first time since 2013)
- “Far Cry” (with touring band introductions)
- “Subdivisions“
- “Freewill” (first time since 2011)
- (Tape) Neil Peart Tribute Collage 1
- “Bravado” (first time since 2013, dedicated to Neil Peart)
- “Caravan” (first time since 2013)
- “La Villa Strangiato” (first time since 2011)
- “Vital Signs” (first time since 2011)
- “The Spirit Of Radio“
Set 2:
- (Tape) Countdown
- “2112 Part I: Overture“
- “2112 Part II: The Temples Of Syrinx“
- “2112 Part VII: Grand Finale“
- “Distant Early Warning“
- “Red Barchetta“
- “Dreamline” (first time since 2013)
- (Tape) Bird-dy Lee Sketch
- “Natural Science“
- (Tape) Neil Peart Tribute Collage 2
- “Time Stand Still” (with Aimee Mann) (first time since 2011)
- “Red Sector A” (first time since 2013)
- “YYZ“
- “The Garden” (first time since 2013)
- (Tape) “South Park” Intro
- “Tom Sawyer“
Encore:
- “By-Tor & The Snow Dog” (first time since 2004)
- “Working Man“
- (Tape) Neil Peart Tribute
Rush “Fifty Something” 2026 Tour Dates:
- June 9, 11, 13 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
- June 18 – Mexico City, MX – Palacio de los Deportes
- June 20 – Mexico City, MX – Palacio de los Deportes
- June 24, 26, 28, 30 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
- July 16, 18, 20, 22 – Chicago, IL – United Center
- July 28, 30, Aug. 1, 3 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
- Aug. 7, 9, 11, 13 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
- Aug. 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena
- Aug. 23 – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena
- Aug. 26 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
- Aug. 28 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
- Sep. 2 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
- Sep. 4 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
- Sep. 12 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
- Sep. 14 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
- Sep. 17, 19 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena
- Sep. 23 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
- Sep. 25 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
- Oct. 5 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
- Oct. 7 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
- Oct. 10 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
- Oct. 12 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
- Oct. 15 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
- Oct. 17 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center
- Oct. 25 – Washington D.C. – Capital One Arena
- Oct. 27 – Washington D.C. – Capital One Arena
- Oct. 30 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
- Nov. 1 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
- Nov. 5 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
- Nov. 7 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
- Nov. 9 – Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena
- Nov. 11 – Tampa, FL – Benchmark International Arena
- Nov. 20 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
- Nov. 22 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
- Nov. 25 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
- Nov. 27 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
- Dec. 1 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena
- Dec. 3 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena
- Dec. 10 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
- Dec. 12 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
- Dec. 15 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
- Dec. 17 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Rush “Fifty Something” 2027 UK And European Tour:
- February 19: Paris, FRA – La Défense Arena
- February 21: Berlin, GER – Uber Arena
- February 23: Amsterdam, NED – Ziggo Dome
- February 25: Munich, GER – Olympiahalle
- February 28: Cologne, GER – LANXESS Arena
- March 2: Hamburg, GER – Barclays Arena
- March 4: Stuttgart, GER – Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
- March 8: Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
- March 12: Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
- March 16: London, UK – The O2 Arena
- March 18: London, UK – The O2 Arena
- March 27: Kraków, POL – Arena Kraków
- March 30: Milan, ITA – Unipol Dome
- April 1: Basel, SWI – St. Jakobshalle
- April 4: Copenhagen, DEN – Royal Arena
- April 6: Oslo, NOR – Unity Arena
- April 8: Stockholm, SWE – Avicii Arena
- April 10: Helsinki, FIN – Veikkaus Arena
Rush “Fifty Something” 2027 South America Dates:
- January 15: Buenos Aires, AR
- January 22: Curitiba, BR
- January 24: São Paulo, BR
- January 30: Rio De Janeiro, BR
- February 01: Belo Horizonte, BR
- February 04: Brasília, BR
