Rush

I've seen a lot of shows over the years and a handful of those have been Rush shows. It's Tuesday, July 21, when I step out of arguably the sketchiest hotel I've ever seen, onto the Portland streets, and anxiously make my way towards a sold out Moda Center for show number six. Quickly, I join the middle-aged, t-shirted, kids-in-tow exodus of fans swiftly navigating their way to the promised land, arena bound. A brief beverage stop, Laurelwood's Mother Lode Golden Ale, before "finding my way" to my seat for what could be, what will likely be, my final Rush concert. It's show time.

Some things never change, and when it comes to Rush, that's not only a good thing, it's what's expected. And this night is, as expected, stellar musicianship by three of the most talented artists on the planet. All nicely complemented by the impressive sound quality, typical attention to detail, geeky sense of humor, and bar-setting performances that have become the rule rather than the exception.

It's show time. From beginning to end, or literally, from end to beginning, as the Canadian trio runs through their 40-year catalog in reverse timeline. A playlist, obviously of their choosing, giving the fans what they need, not necessarily what they want. Headlong Flight, Distant Early Warning, Red Barchetta, Jacobs Ladder, Xanadu, Lakeside Park, and Working Man being a few unexpected highlights, with a few standards, Subdivisions, Tom Sawyer, 2112, thrown in, and of course, a drum solo.

Yes, a drum solo, a Rush show wouldn't be a Rush show without a technical masterpiece from Mr. Percussionist himself, Neil Peart, sending the sold-out crowd into a collective frenzy. Not to overshadow the other wheels of this super-charged tricycle. Geddy Lee brought his epic, complicated bass lines to life with unparalleled precision and talent, equally on recent offerings (Headlong Flight) and earlier work (Cygnus X-1). Of course, all while not missing a beat on the bass pedals, keyboards, and vocals, which in 40-years haven't lost much in range and intensity. And Alex Lifeson, an underrated "working man" simply doing his job, it’s never flashy, never showy, just perfect execution, song after song, guitar after guitar.

There was no shortage of guitars as Lifeson and Lee both swapped them out frequently, as if showcasing 40 years of instruments responsible for 40 years of music. At one point, both firing through Xanadu with classic double necks on their way to a grande finale. A finale that brought our time traveling to a new set, a high-school gymnasium with a crystal ball and replica ‘75 drum kit, and to 1975s Fly By Night, and their debut, 1974s Rush.

And with that, it ended where it all began, well, sort of. I was on the streets again, The Lloyd district in the aftermath, with the midway hawkers, post-show tweakers, prostitutes and crazed pizza delivery boys, not exactly the subdivisions of Rush classics. Not exactly an easy show to wind down from either, requiring cheap beer, cigarettes, lawn chairs, and heated discussions in the hotel parking lot. Although the alternative was going to bed, and that was not an option this night, not in that hotel. But, we were momentarily in the same building with Rush, the three kings, and nothing could kill that buzz, nothing except the reality that this may be it, this may be the farewell.

Flew up from South Florida to see what Geddy said may be the last big tour for a while. Just couldn't miss this one, seen most every tour since Hemispheres. This was the first show in many years where I avoided reviews and set lists prior to going, I wanted to be surprised. Opening up with The Anarchist was not a shock, but two more from Clockwork Angels got me wondering if they were counting down. They confirmed that was the plan when they did Far Cry from Snakes and Arrows. There is no way to do everyone of my favorites but their setlist below was very well thought out. Even some of my least favorite mid-late 80's albums were represented with the best cuts like Between the Wheels and Subdivisions. I told a first time Rush Concert goer sitting next to me to get ready for Set 2 knowing it was going to kick off with Moving Pictures. Needless to say, I was blown away!!! Highlights of the night for me were; How It Is, The Camera Eye, Jacob's Ladder, Cygnus, Xanadu and Lakeside Park, songs I've not heard them play live very often, or at all. This is a must see for any Rock and Roll fan, do not miss this Tour!!

Set 1:
The Anarchist
The Wreckers
Headlong Flight
(With mini drum solo)
Far Cry
The Main Monkey Business
How It Is
Animate
Roll the Bones
Between the Wheels
Subdivisions

Set 2:
Tom Sawyer
The Camera Eye
The Spirit of Radio
Jacob's Ladder
Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres Part I: Prelude
Cygnus X-1
(The Voyage Part 1 & 3 with drum solo)
Closer to the Heart
Xanadu
2112 Part I: Overture
2112 Part II: The Temples of Syrinx
2112 Part IV: Presentation
2112 Part VII: Grand Finale

Encore:
Lakeside Park
Anthem
What You're Doing
Working Ma

The number of times I've seen Rush span across the years from 1978, on only their second visit to the UK, to last year at the O2 Arena in support of their Clockwork Angels album.

Despite several early line up changes, the core of Rush has been for an incredible 40 years: Geddy Lee on Bass and Vocals, Alex Lifeson on Guitars and the Drum Professor himself, Mr Neil Peart.

A live show by Rush is a full on, near 3 hour experience with lights and lasers, screen projections, fireworks and even props on stage. And that's even before you get to the soaring music. With 19 studio albums under their belt, Rush have an impressive back catalogue to delve into. There will always be the crowd pleasing tracks such as Tom Sawyer and The Spirit of Radio but Rush are not content with producing a mere Greatest Hits package, they happily play more recent material too. It's a real achievement that they are still selling out large arenas at this late stage of their career and the passion of the fans is as strong as any band I've come across.

To sum up, this trio of amiable Canadians have produced the nearest thing to the soundtrack of my life as any other band and I'll be first in the queue when their next tour is announced.

Rush was simply awesome last night in Greensboro. After 40 years of some making great music, they are still going strong. The evening started with a couple of Clockwork Angels songs and slide back in time until the encore of Rush Album hits. The stage was modified to fit the time period as we continued back in time. Washing machines early in the show through huge stacks of amplifiers in the 80's, back to more humbler beginnings. Alex and Getty pulled out the double necked guitar and zebras on Xanadu, while Neil used two drum kits! Fantastic night.

Setlist:

Set one - The world is....The world is...

The Anarchist
The Wreckers
Headlong flight (w/mini drum solo)
Far cry
Main monkey business
How it is
Animate
Roll the bones
Between the wheels
Subdivisions

Intermission

Set 2 - No country for old hens

Tom Sawyer
Camera eye (on memory of Andrew McLaughtin)
Spirit of radio
Jacobs ladder
Cygnus X-1 Book II hemisphere
Part I prelude?
Cygnus X-1 (w/Drum solo)
Closer to the Heart
Xanadu (double neck guitar and bass!)
2112
Overture
Temple of syrinx
Presentation
Grand finale

Encore - Mel's rock starring Gene Levy

Lakeside park
What your doing
Working man

Toronto trio Rush has always been praised for the musicianship and skill that its members obtained. Having formed over forty years ago, the band clearly has had its practice playing live and they are described still as one of the most technical bands working on the circuit. Often extending tracks such as 'Grand Designs' and 'Far Cry' to include complex instrumental bridges and outros that are as hypnotising as they are impressive.

A lengthy affair, the band perform two sets of tracks along with a huge encore featuring all three parts of '2112'. Armed with a barrage of visuals though Rush create more of a show than a simple gig as the stage design seems to twist, turn and adapt to the music being performed. The skill of drummer Neil Peart cannot go unrecognised as he plays an impossible amount of drums at a blistering pace despite being over sixty years old.

Rush's loyal audience are enthusiastic throughout, cheering, singing and dancing to the very final track following a total of around five hours on their feet. This band are a credit to progressive rock and show no signs of slowing after forty years together.

I give what may as well be their last performance for a long time a 10/10 review! The show last night was a spectacle from the present to the past. They touched on many albums over the 3 hours they played. It was my first show at the fabulous Forum, and man did Rush bring it down. They played Subdivisions which is my favorite song, also a live staple, it brought me to a place of happiness i haven't been in a long time. The entire first set was full of present day hits. The second half of the show saw the guys breaking down their '70s music, finally ending with a finale of four songs from their first three albums. It was an incredible sight to see Cygnus X-1 books one and two, Xanadu, and four parts of 2112 played along hits like Closer to the Heart, Tom Sawyer, Spirit of Radio, and they even played Red Barchetta! It was simply a magical night and i couldn't see my time in Los Angeles coming to end any better than with my second favorite band of all time! Thank you Rush for all that you do for music and as people!

If you are a fan this is a must see show as it may be their last tour. The set list is somewhat fluid which I was very thankful for as some of their selections in the first set are not my favorite. But they changed things up in Denver and played Distant Early Warning in the first set then played YYZ instead of Camera Eye in the second.
I had never seen them do Xanadu live and it was a big plus, also seeing Getty and Alex both playing double necks was a visual treat.
Great show theme taking them backwards in time to a high school dance complete with mirror ball was fun.
As always 5 stars on a 0-4 scale. No one matches these guys dedication and honest effort to give their fans a great show. They NEVER "mail it in" like some bands.

What a great show, Rush was in top Form, loved the progression of the show from Mew Rush to the beginning of rush, the light show, changing of stage to reflect the time period of the songs were very cool.. I hope this was not the last show ever, Neil Peart is the best drummer in the world, Alex is one the most polished, professional and under-rated guitar players in the world, but I saw Van Halen last week and he played much better than Edfie Van Halen. Geddy, the man with the golden Voice, still can sing every song as good as it was done originally, not like the washed up David Lee Roth I saw last week who speaks when he can't sing. The holy trinity is my favorite band live of all time, all Hail Rush

Rush really knows how to put on a great show! Great setlist, cool lights and the energy to rival any 20 year old...they really rock! This is more than likely their last tour so catch them if you can. The only negative was that the acoustics at the Seattle the venue were so horrid that I think it messed them up a few times. Subdivisions, Camera Eye and Hemispheres were out of sync at times.

I've read other reviews complaining about poor sound engineering and I would have to agree. At times Geddy's bass was just too overpowering. Although give the venue, it may have been the best they could do.

All in all it was still an amazing show and I would highly recommend it to anyone!

It was my first Rush concert, my brother's second and my dad's 7th or something. I thought it was really good, considering they are as old as my grandparents, but the first half the sound was weird with the bass. It had nothing to do with Rush, it was the sound system and the way it was reverberating. It was an experience and I had fun, the old fat man next to me wouldn't stop smoking and I got high since it was blowing IN MY FACE for HOURS. But whatever. It was a good time and I would see them before they retire absolutely if you like them at all.