Rush launched their Fifty Something reunion tour on Sunday at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, marking an evening of significant milestones: their first full-length concert in nearly 11 years, their first headlining show since the passing of drummer Neil Peart, and their first complete performance with new drummer Anika Nilles.
Nilles, who previously performed with Jeff Beck’s touring band, had big shoes to fill — and she did so with style. The TapeheadToo YouTube account has shared drum cam footage of the entire concert, which featured 24 songs from Rush’s remarkable discography.
During the opening song “Xanadu,” Nilles dropped a drumstick but quickly retrieved it and continued playing the fill as if nothing had occurred. Ironically, the nearly unnoticeable mistake seemed to work in her favor, as the audience cheered for her recovery and enhanced the energy and goodwill for the evening.
You can watch Nilles’ impressive performance in the nearly three-hour video below.
Watch Anika Nilles Play at Rush’s Fifty Something Reunion Tour Kickoff (June 7, 2026)
READ MORE: Who Is Anika Nilles, Rush’s New Drummer for 2026 Reunion Tour
How Rush Honored Neil Peart at Fifty Something Tour Kickoff
Peart, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 67, was clearly on the minds of Rush and their fans at the Fifty Something tour kickoff show, which included numerous tributes to the late drummer. Singer and bassist Geddy Lee made this clear when he addressed the audience after the band’s first song, “Xanadu.”
“We’re here for so many reasons,” Lee stated. “We’re here to celebrate over 50 years of music that [Alex Lifeson], myself and the great Neil Peart made together. We’re here to pay tribute to Neil.”
The concert concluded with another memorable tribute to Peart. Actors Paul Rudd and Jason Segel — who also appeared in a short film that opened the show — returned to the screen to reprise their roles as devoted Rush fans from the 2009 comedy I Love You, Man. Both actors paused their jam session to debate how to pronounce Peart’s last name while referring to him as “the almighty, the best in the world, ever.”
Rush’s Fifty Something Tour continues on Tuesday in Los Angeles and is currently scheduled to run through April 2027.
See more photos from Rush’s opening night below:
Rush Opening Night 2026 Photo Gallery
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson performed their first show together in 11 years.
