# Rush is reuniting, with dates scheduled in 2026 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [October 6, 2025, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729 "2025-10-06T22:47:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/1 "2025-10-06T22:47:05Z")
And their new drummer is one Anika Nilles, whom I’d never previously heard of, but this link says she’s played with Jeff Beck, among other. You read that right. SHE. A woman. Cool! I had long heard chatter that they were going to use Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy, but if they feel she’d fit in better, go for it! > **[My Thoughts on Rush's NEW Drummer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N7D4JXpLRc%2F)** > > In this episode, I give my thoughts on a huge announcement from one of my favorite bands of all time: Rush. Rush's Full Announcement https://www.youtube.com/... ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/2 "2025-10-06T22:53:04Z")
I love Rush. Great news. Excited for some female representation in a band notorious for its predominantly male following. I haven’t seen them in concert, but I’m thinking about it. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/3 "2025-10-06T23:00:31Z")
I saw them 4 times over the years, each time in a different state (long story about that) and there were always a lot of other women there. Doesn’t hurt to have one onstage with them, however! That video also mentioned, in passing, a separate keyboardist, but it looks like they haven’t finalized that decision yet. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/4 "2025-10-06T23:05:04Z")
My only concert was the “Signals” tour in 1982 and back then I believed Neal Peart really had a PhD in something (percussion?) Yet just like Carl Palmer, every bit of his kit was used during the show. Best drummer I’ve seen so good luck with Anika. If they play the UK outside of London, I’ll check it out. ETA: I flew out of YYZ (Toronto) 10 years ago and still have the luggage tag. If she can play that, she’s hired. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/5 "2025-10-06T23:09:56Z")
Neil Peart never had a Ph.D. I don’t think he even graduated from high school; he was self-educated. Bill Bruford does have a Ph.D. He has, over the years, played in, among other bands, Yes and King Crimson. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/6 "2025-10-06T23:16:14Z")
Neal was called “The Professor” and wrote most of their lyrics, so it sounded plausible to a high school student. Had to look up Bruford’s phD. From wiki: In 2016, Bruford received a [PhD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PhD "PhD") in Music from the [University of Surrey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Surrey "University of Surrey"). Seems a bit honorary to me, yet Bruford is a damn fine drummer. Don’t recall him being circled with a intricate drum kit. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/7 "2025-10-06T23:20:41Z")
Should have hired a singer instead. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/8 "2025-10-06T23:37:17Z")
Hah! Take off! (to the Great White North) Geddy is a worthy bass player and plays keyboards. I know what you mean though. Meanwhile, just pulled up a random YYZ and Neal is beating the shit out of his kit and flipping the sticks in the air too. If I’d seen Bonham live, I’d say, yeah, GTFO the stage to Plant and Page and let Bonzo absolutely crush it with Moby Dick. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/9 "2025-10-06T23:41:28Z")
I saw them in 2000. Once is enough for me, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/10 "2025-10-06T23:46:28Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Once is enough for me, I think. One of those bands I respect rather more than I like. Tremendous chops, the occasional hooky song and I sorta enjoyed the documentary on their previous “final” tour. But not enough to want to sit through an entire concert. Good for their fans, though. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/11 "2025-10-07T00:12:08Z")
Here are the tour dates in 2026: - June 7 — Los Angeles, Kia Forum - June 9 — Los Angeles, Kia Forum - June 18 — Mexico City, Palacio de los Deportes - June 24 — Fort Worth, Texas, Dickies Arena - June 26 — Fort Worth, Texas, Dickies Arena - July 16 — Chicago, United Center - July 18 — Chicago, United Center - July 28 — New York, Madison Square Garden - July 30 — New York, Madison Square Garden - Aug. 7 — Toronto, Scotiabank Arena - Aug. 9 — Toronto, Scotiabank Arena - Sept. 17 — Cleveland, Rocket Arena I saw them a while ago when they came thru my area, I forget which album they were supporting. Very good! But, Los Angeles is the closest they will be, and I won’t be making a trip there just for this. Just FYI, Geddy and Alex are both 72. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/12 "2025-10-07T00:32:36Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I saw them 4 times over the years, each time in a different state (long story about that) and there were always a lot of other women there. That’s great to hear! ---
**Author:** ![cieskokid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cieskokid/32/5374_2.png) [@cieskokid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cieskokid)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/13 "2025-10-07T02:50:58Z")
here’s the soon 2b well-known Anika Nilles, with Jeff Beck on his Freeway Jam …check out last 2rocking minutes below. Alex & Geddy have scored again w/their percussionist, these will be interesting live shows no matter what 😎 🎸 🥁 [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/jOubDqnu5WY/maxresdefault.jpg "Jeff Beck Live 2022 🡆 Freeway Jam 🡄 Sept 25 ⬘ The Woodlands, TX") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOubDqnu5WY&t=206\) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/14 "2025-10-07T06:06:26Z")
Ever seen Dr. Bruford interviewed? The man is beyond brilliant himself. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/15 "2025-10-07T15:03:16Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Here are the tour dates in 2026: Wow. Just slightly more places than NY-Chi-LA. Everybody in flyover country, and western Canada, so sorry. (FTR, I saw Blue Oyster Cult, in Milwaukee. They were pushing 80. The reaper is getting closer…) ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/16 "2025-10-07T16:10:37Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > You read that right. SHE. A woman. Cool! And, these shows will be the first time a woman is seen at a Rush concert. (Stolen from many places online) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/17 "2025-10-07T16:19:26Z")
Neil Peart is dead so no, Rush is not reuniting. Maybe a really good Rush cover band. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/18 "2025-10-07T16:25:47Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > (FTR, I saw Blue Oyster Cult, in Milwaukee. They were pushing 80. The reaper is getting closer…) Yeah, I’m sure when you’re writing those lyrics at 29 it feels a little different than at nearly 80. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/19 "2025-10-07T16:52:52Z")
I hope I die before I get old. I guess it depends on how you define “old”. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729/20 "2025-10-07T17:14:18Z")
Didn’t believe this at first, because I’ve seen so many “Rush is touring again!” posts that turned out to be fake. But it is true this time, and I’m excited. I wasn’t sure what to think at first, but when I found out Neil’s widow and daughter are in favor of it, and that the band will be having a tribute to Neil at each show, I’m looking forward to it! I’m a huge Rush fan (seen them at least once on every tour since Presto in 1989) so I’ve already signed up for the presale. I fully expect I’ll have to pay a lot for this, but… yeah. It’s worth it to see them again after 11 years. I hadn’t heard of Anika Nilles before yesterday, but the general consensus says she’s an amazing drummer and well up to the task. I do hope this encourages more girls to take up drumming, too! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rush-is-reuniting-with-dates-scheduled-in-2026/1023729.md?page=2)