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Rush Makes A Magnificent Return To Madison Square Garden

adminAugust 1, 20263 Mins read0

Rush Makes A Magnificent Return To Madison Square Garden

When Rush’s legendary drummer Neil Peart died in 2020, it appeared, without a doubt, the book on the legendary Canadian rock group was permanently closed. In the years after Peart’s death, surviving Rush bassist/singer Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson worked on their individual solo projects while their classic albums were reissued as deluxe anniversary packages. Even though Lifeson and Lee reunited on stage for the South Park 25th anniversary and Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts in 2022, it seemed that Rush was pretty much finished as far as live performances go.

So when Lee and Lifeson announced late last year that they would be touring as Rush for the first time since 2015 with a new drummer, the news was surprising. Honestly, how could they carry on without their beloved friend whose rock drumming and lyrics were distinct hallmarks of their progressive rock music for nearly 50 years? To do so would have been a Herculean task.

But that never stopped Rush before when it came to overcoming the odds, particularly in the early part of their career; one of their songs from their catalog is even titled “Finding My Way.” That was truly the case when Lifeson and Lee, who were accompanied by backing drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold, returned to New York City’s packed Madison Square Garden for night two of Rush’s Fifty Something tour this past Thursday.

For three hours, the band magnificently played with urgency and jaw-dropping musicianship to the rapturous delight of their fans, beginning with “Xanadu,” from their 1977 album A Farewell to Kings. What followed during the first set was a motherload of classic hits and deep cuts, among them “The Spirit of Radio,” “Subdivisions,” “Freewill,” “The Trees” and “Limelight.” The second set was just as impressive, with Rush performing the epic “2112” suite, the power ballad “Closer to the Heart,” “Red Barchetta” and, of course, “Tom Sawyer,” which has since become the band’s signature song and part of pop culture. (Five songs from the show were from the blockbuster Moving Pictures album, which turned 45 this year)

The memory of Peart loomed large during the show, and Lee and Lifeson made sure the audience knew that. Ahead of and during the performance of “Bravado,” the large video screen featured archival footage and audio of Peart; he was again remembered onscreen before the band kicked into the powerful and moving “Time Stand Still.”

For their encore, Lee and Lifeson fittingly went all the way back to the band’s 1974 self-titled debut (before Peart joined the group) for the performances of two of the album’s songs—the blistering Zeppelin-esque hard rockers “Finding My Way” and “Working Man.” Not only did Rush honor Peart at the show, but they also paid tribute to his predecessor, the late John Rutsey, on the video screen during “Working Man.”

Longtime fans generally expect virtuosic musicianship from Rush, and the second Garden show was no exception, with Lee delivering punishing bass lines and Lifeson blazing away on the guitar. But the other equally astounding aspect of the show was Nilles’ superb drumming. In recalling Peart’s incomparable technique, she crushed it while forging her own distinct style. She has been a major revelation.

Amid the performances, the elaborate stage setup, the special effects and the humorous video clips featuring the South Park boys and actors Paul Rudd and Jason Segal, there was definitely an air of electricity throughout the arena — proof that the popularity of and adoration for Rush remain unabated after over 50 years .

Rush returns to Madison Square Garden on Saturday, Aug. 1, and Monday, Aug. 3, for their Fifty-Something tour.

Setlist:

Set 1:

Xanadu

The Spirit of Radio

The Analog Kid

Freewill

Subdivisions

Bravado

Leave That Thing Alone

The Trees

Caravan