Rush Announces Historic 2026 Reunion Tour with New Drummer Anika Nilles
Legendary Prog-Rock Trio Returns to Stage After 11 Years
In a stunning announcement that has sent shockwaves through the rock music world, Canadian prog-rock legends Rush have revealed plans to return to the stage in 2026 for their first tour in over a decade. The "Fifty Something" tour will mark the band's first live performances since the tragic passing of drummer and lyricist Neil Peart in January 2020.
Founding members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, both 72, unveiled the tour on October 6, 2025, introducing German drum virtuoso Anika Nilles as their new drummer. The 42-year-old musician will take on what Lee described as a "near-impossible role" of stepping behind the kit for one of rock's most technically demanding bands.
A Difficult Decision
For years, the prospect of Rush continuing without Peart seemed unthinkable to both Lee and Lifeson. Following their R40 tour finale in August 2015 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, the band appeared to have closed its final chapter. Peart's retirement from touring, followed by his death from glioblastoma at age 67, seemed to seal that fate permanently.
However, the duo's perspective gradually shifted after performing at tribute concerts, including the Taylor Hawkins memorial shows in 2022 and the South Park 25th anniversary concert. These marked the first times Lee and Lifeson had performed Rush material with different drummers, reigniting their passion for the music they had created together.
"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," Lee stated in the tour announcement. "It's time for a celebration of 50-something years of Rush music."
Even Paul McCartney encouraged the pair to return to performing, offering words of inspiration after they met at the Hawkins tribute show in 2022.
Enter Anika Nilles
The selection of Nilles represents both a bold choice and a carefully considered one. While not a household name in mainstream rock circles, she is highly respected in drumming communities worldwide. With over 377,000 Instagram followers and millions of YouTube views, Nilles has built a reputation as a technical virtuoso known for her ability to navigate complex time signatures—a Rush specialty.
Lee first mentioned Nilles by name in a 2023 interview with The Guardian, calling her "terrific" after hearing about her work on Jeff Beck's final European tour in 2022. The connection came through Lee's bass technician, who worked with Beck and witnessed Nilles's extraordinary abilities firsthand.
The band secretly brought Nilles to Canada for what Lee described as not quite an audition, but rather an exploratory session. "We weren't really sure that we were going to tour," he explained. What they discovered was a drummer who could not only master the technical demands of Rush's catalog but also capture the feel of how the songs should be played.
Lee and Lifeson have been rehearsing 35 songs from Rush's extensive catalog with Nilles in preparation for the tour. Notably, they also plan to add one or two additional musicians to expand their sound, marking a departure from Rush's traditional power trio format.
Honoring Neil's Legacy
The tour has received the full blessing of Peart's widow, Carrie Nuttall-Peart, and his daughter, Olivia. In a joint statement, they expressed their enthusiasm: "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 as both a drummer and lyricist."
The family acknowledged that while Peart's artistry was "irreplaceable" and "inimitable," they are excited to see how the band's new chapter unfolds. Lee has promised that the shows will pay tribute to Peart "at least a couple of times during the show in our own way" each night.
"Our idea was not to try to be Rush 2.0," Lee emphasized. "[We want] to pay homage to our music, pay homage to our lost brother, represent the songs—and celebrate the songs."
Tour Details
The 12-date tour will visit seven cities across North America, with each stop featuring two performances. In a format described as "An Evening With Rush," each show will present two sets drawn from the pool of 35 songs, meaning no two performances will be identical.
Fifty Something Tour Dates:
- June 7 & 9: Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
- June 18: Mexico City, MX @ Palacio de los Deportes
- June 24 & 26: Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena
- July 16 & 18: Chicago, IL @ United Center
- July 28 & 30: New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
- August 7 & 9: Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
- September 17: Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Arena
Fittingly, the tour launches at the same Los Angeles venue where Rush played their final show with Peart nearly eleven years earlier.
Artist presales begin October 13, with general ticket sales starting October 17 at noon local time. The announcement coincides with the release of "Rush 50," a comprehensive 50-track anthology spanning the band's entire career.
A New Chapter
For Rush fans who never thought they'd hear "Tom Sawyer," "Limelight," or "The Spirit of Radio" performed live again, the announcement represents an unexpected gift. Lee and Lifeson have made clear this isn't an attempt to recreate what was, but rather a celebration of Rush's enduring legacy and the profound impact Peart had on generations of music lovers.
As Lee reflected on the journey that brought them back to this point: "We were laughing so hard, and we were enjoying it so much, and it was almost like playing those songs dispelled the dark clouds."
For a band whose music has long explored themes of perseverance, transformation, and the passage of time, returning to the stage in 2026 feels like a fitting continuation of their story—honoring the past while embracing an uncertain but hopeful future.
Website - www.rush.com/band