Rush Extend First Tour in 11 Years
Rush, photo by Richard Sibbald
On Monday, Rush announced the Fifty Something Tour, their first outing in 11 years and since the death of drummer and primary lyricist Neil Peart. The resurrection of the legendary progressive rock trio–now featuring the founding duo of vocalist, bassist and keyboardist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson alongside drummer Anika Nilles–was met with such a surge of demand that the group has now effectively doubled their initial tour itinerary.
From June 7 to Sept. 19 of 2026, Rush will now present a total of 23 performances across North America, making stops in Los Angeles, Mexico City, Fort Worth, Texas, Chicago, New York, their native Toronto and finally Cleveland. While the tour extension did not add any new markets, the band have tacked two more shows onto all but their Mexico City standalone show and the finale in Cleveland, now expanded to two nights. While Lee and Lifeson have reunited for a few scattered performances in the last decade, including the South Park 20th Anniversary Concert in 2022, next year will mark their first tour together since the R40 Tour’s conclusion in 2015.
“It’s been over 10 years since Alex and I have performed the music of RUSH alongside our fallen bandmate and friend Neil,” Lee expressed in a statement. “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,” Lee continued. “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.”
Tickets for Rush’s Fifty Something Tour will become available through an artist presale on Oct. 13 at 12 p.m. local time; registration his open now. Other presales will continue until the general onsale, occurring next Friday, Oct. 17 at 12 p.m. local time. Learn more at rush.com.
