Legendary Canadian progressive rock band Rush returned to the stage on Sunday, June 7, 2026, launching their "Fifty Something" reunion tour at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California.
The concert marked the group's first official performance in 11 years.
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Surviving members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson were joined by German drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold for a 22-song setlist spanning their 50-year career.
The venue held historical significance as the same location where Rush completed their R40 Live tour on August 1, 2015, before a decade-long hiatus.
Emotional Tribute to Neil Peart
The performance served as a deeply emotional tribute to original drummer and primary lyricist Neil Peart, who died from a rare brain cancer in January 2020 at age 67.
Early in the show, singer-bassist Geddy Lee addressed the crowd, explaining the purpose behind the band's unexpected return.
"We're here for so many reasons," he said.
"We're here to celebrate over 50 years of music that Alex, myself and the great Neil Peart made together.
We're here to pay tribute to Neil."
The band integrated Peart's memory through digital renderings, vintage performance videos, and archival audio narration. In one clip, Peart said, "Drumming became an instrument of self-esteem for me.
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I consider my whole career to be a reflection of me at 16 and what my values were."
Peart's family expressed support for the tour in an official statement.
"We are thrilled to support the Fifty Something tour, celebrating a band whose music has resonated and inspired fans for generations, and to honor Neil's extraordinary legacy," said Carrie Nuttall-Peart and Olivia Peart.
Setlist Highlights and Surprises
The three-hour show opened with "Xanadu," the first time in Rush history that the 1977 track served as a concert opener.
The setlist heavily featured the band's 1980s synthesizer-forward catalog, alongside staples like "Limelight," "The Spirit of Radio," and "Tom Sawyer."
Guest vocalist Aimee Mann surprised the audience, joining Rush to perform their 1987 collaborative hit "Time Stand Still" live together for the first time.
The group concluded with "By-Tor & The Snow Dog," performed for the first time in over two decades, followed by their traditional finale "Working Man."
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The North American leg of the "Fifty Something" tour is scheduled through December 2026, with international dates in South America and Europe planned for 2027.
