Rush has completed their first full concert with touring drummer Anika Nilles, marking a significant milestone for the band following the 2020 death of longtime drummer Neil Peart. The performance featured a tribute to Peart that included a guest appearance by singer-songwriter Aimee Mann during the song Time Stand Still.
The show included deep cuts from the band's catalog, with Rush performing By-Tor and the Snow Dog alongside other material. Nilles, who has taken on the challenging role of filling Peart's position behind the kit, played through the band's complex repertoire during what marked her debut in a full-length Rush concert.
The performance represents Rush's return to full touring operations after a period of uncertainty following Peart's death. Peart, widely regarded as one of rock music's most influential drummers, had retired from touring in 2015 before his death five years later. The band had previously indicated that continuing without Peart would be difficult, if not impossible.
Mann's appearance during Time Stand Still connects to the song's original 1987 studio recording, which featured her vocals. The collaboration brought together the historical and current iterations of Rush's live performances, offering a moment of continuity as the band moves forward with its new lineup.
The concert signals Rush's intention to continue performing despite the loss of a founding member. Nilles brings her own background as an accomplished drummer to the role, though she faces the challenge of interpreting Peart's intricate drum parts while maintaining the technical precision Rush's music demands. The band has not announced whether this performance marks the beginning of an extended tour or represents a limited return to live performance.