Last night I checked off a concert box I thought I’d never get to see. Rush.
When Neil Peart died in 2020 everyone thought that Rush was done. He was their drummer and he was unparalleled in his ability to play the drums.
Last year Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson announced they were going out on tour again. They had found a touring drummer named Anika Nilles. There was a lot of speculation and anticipation as the opening dates in June approached. The tour, in a word, has been tremendous. The support of, and acceptance of, Anika by the Rush fans has been overwhelmingly positive. She embodies the spirit of play that Neil had, and presents the iconic drum fills with power and grace and enjoyment.
I’ve watched the videos on YouTube but nothing prepares you for actually being in the arena enveloped in the sound. Everyone on stage was having fun. Geddy and Alex had big smiles on their faces, obviously enjoying playing their music live once again. Anika simply owned the drums. To coin phrases from Rush lyrics, “She has assumed control” and she was “grace under pressure”. I cannot imagine anyone else capturing the support and love from the fans as she has done, nor can I imagine anyone out playing her.
I am privileged to have seen the show in Chicago with my oldest friend. I am doubly privileged to get to see them again in Boston about six weeks, again with my oldest friend.