The Rush Fifty Something Tour kicked off yesterday in Los Angeles, at the same arena where they last played with their departed drummer Neil Peart nearly 11 years ago. Their selection of drummer Anika Nilles is the biggest story in rock.
She did not disappoint! I was up until 2am last night on my socials watching clip after clip of Nilles just crushing those famous fills.
Not that I expected anything else. Would Alex and Geddy select anyone who wasn't already such a gunslinger? No!
Some people complain that this just isn't Rush. Fair enough. Personally I see this as Rush "the band" leaning into being Rush "the institution." Anyway, those grumps can stay home. That crowd reaction doesn't lie; they're more than on board.
BTW I feel a little bad for keyboardist Loren Gold, hidden in the shadows back there. The first person to play keyboards for Rush who isn't Geddy Lee! I get that Nilles is the big story here but I kinda hope they spotlight Gold a bit.