Rush revives classic era in Tampa
New drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold joined the surviving members for the first of two shows at Benchmark International Arena.
By Alessia Desai ·
Rush has completed a rare musical resurrection. The Canadian rock band performed the first of two concerts at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa on Monday, November 9, 2026. This marks their first public appearances since the death of drummer Neil Peart.
The group’s lineup now includes bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, new drummer Anika Nilles, and keyboardist Loren Gold. Nilles, a German drummer previously unknown to many fans, took over the drum kit. Gold, who has toured with Chicago and The Who, joined the band this year to handle synthesizer parts. This addition allows Lee and Lifeson to focus more on their primary instruments.
The setlist spanned three hours and included deep cuts from the band’s extensive catalog. Lifeson played a Gibson SG and a Rickenbacker double-neck guitar during the opening track, "Xanadu." He later switched to a white Gibson ES-355 for "La Villa Strangiato" and used a custom Omega Stand to transition from an acoustic guitar to a Les Paul during "The Trees." Lee maintained high vocal notes on "Freewill" and played heavy bass lines on "Red Barchetta."
Nilles performed with a steady intensity that mirrored the technical demands of the material. Her presence did not overshadow the tributes to Peart displayed on the venue's video screens. The band’s chemistry remained strong despite the absence of their longtime frontman. Lee and Lifeson, who have known each other since middle school, displayed a tight musical connection throughout the performance.
The show featured video interludes that included a skit where the two surviving members searched for a fictional older version of themselves in a castle. The band also played pot-inspired tracks like "A Passage to Bangkok" alongside fan favorites such as "Tom Sawyer" and "Subdivisions." Gold handled the iconic synth sections on "Tom Sawyer" and most of "Subdivisions."
The addition of Gold to the lineup changed the stage dynamic. Lee no longer had to move frequently between his bass and keyboard stations. This shift allowed the duo to engage more directly with the audience. The performance concluded with a sense of continuity, demonstrating that the band’s core material remains viable with new instrumentalists.
Rush is scheduled to perform a second show at the same venue on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The tour continues as the band tests this new configuration on the road. The Monday performance served as a definitive answer to questions about the group's future viability after Peart's passing.
