- Rush opened the 2026 Juno Awards in Hamilton, Ontario, with their first live performance in nearly 11 years.
- The historic trio is now a quartet, joined by German drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold.
- The band performed “Finding My Way”, the opening track from their self-titled 1974 album, played in full for the first time since 1976.
- This appearance kicks off the Fifty Something Tour, an 86-date world tour beginning June 7 in Los Angeles.
At Woodbrass, we’ve spent years debating the best Rush album between guitar recommendations. So when Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson teased a “special moment” for the Juno Awards this Sunday, we were glued to the screen. Here’s a look back at a historic comeback for progressive rock and a memorable 2026 for fans of the Canadian power trio.
A poorly kept secret at Hamilton’s TD Coliseum
A few days before the ceremony, Rush dropped a hint in its newsletter, inviting fans to “celebrate a special moment.” The Juno Awards, Canada’s equivalent of the Grammys, were held this year at the brand-new TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario—the band’s hometown.
From the very first notes, the crowd understood. Geddy Lee on bass and vocals, Alex Lifeson on guitar, joined by drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold (known for his work with The Who), launched into “Finding My Way”. It was a symbolic choice: the very first track on Rush’s first album, released in 1974.
“Finding My Way” appears on the album Rush (1974), recorded with original drummer John Rutsey—not Neil Peart, who joined the band afterward. A symbolic choice for a fresh start.
Neil Peart’s benevolent shadow
It’s impossible to talk about this return without mentioning Neil Peart. The legendary drummer and lyricist died of brain cancer on January 7, 2020. The band’s last performance with him was on August 1, 2015, at the end of the R40 Tour at the Forum in Los Angeles. Since then, Lee and Lifeson had only appeared together sporadically, but never under the Rush banner.
During the performance, footage of Peart in action played on the giant screens. Backstage, Geddy Lee told reporters that he believed Neil would have been pleased with this return and probably would have cracked a smile upon seeing Anika Nilles behind the kit.
Anika Nilles: from YouTube to Rush’s throne
Anika Nilles, 42, was born in Aschaffenburg, Germany, and initially worked as a preschool teacher before leaving it all behind for music. Trained at the Popakademie Mannheim, she first gained recognition on YouTube in the early 2010s, amassing more than 246,000 subscribers.
Her path crossed with Rush through Jeff Beck. Nilles toured with the British guitarist in 2022, and Lee’s bass tech couldn’t praise her highly enough. Geddy Lee spotted her on YouTube, then invited her to Canada for secret rehearsals.
Want to discover Anika Nilles’ style? Her solo compositions such as “Alter Ego” and the album Pikalar (2017) blend jazz fusion, funk, and prog with formidable technique. Available on all streaming platforms.
Fifty Something Tour: a colossal world tour
This performance at the Junos was only a preview. The Fifty Something Tour kicks off on June 7, 2026, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles—the very venue where Rush played its final concert with Neil Peart in 2015.
- 86 dates across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026
- 26 additional dates announced in February for early 2027, in 13 countries (the first European tour since 2013)
- An “evening with” format: two sets per concert, with a setlist drawn from a catalog of more than 40 songs
- The first dates sold out within minutes, prompting the band to triple the planned number of shows
Lee and Lifeson summed up the spirit of this adventure in October 2025: they missed Rush’s music terribly, and it was time to celebrate more than fifty years of creating together.
A legacy that goes beyond music
Rush is more than just a prog band. It’s an institution: the third-longest run of gold and platinum-certified albums by a rock band (behind the Beatles and the Stones), inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, awarded the Order of Canada, and honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
This return at the Junos—their first appearance since 1978—proves that Rush’s legacy is alive and well. Lee and Lifeson are not trying to replace Neil Peart. They are celebrating his memory by keeping alive the music they created together over four decades.
The Fifty Something Tour is shaping up to be one of 2026’s major live events. European fans should take note of the early 2027 dates: Rush returns to the Old Continent for the first time in 13 years. We can’t wait.
Sources
- Rolling Stone – Watch: Rush Debut New Drummer Anika Nilles at 2026 Juno Awards
- CBC Music – Junos 2026: Joni Mitchell, Rush make Junos history
- Consequence – RUSH Surprise Juno Awards with First Performance in 11 Years
- BraveWords – RUSH Performs « Finding My Way » Live At 2026 Juno Awards
- CBC Music – Rush’s Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee tease Junos surprise
