Well hell, we’re 60! That means we were very young indeed when Rush started out in the ’70s. (I saw my first Rush show 45 years ago in 1981 at the Johnson City Civic Center at the ripe old age of 15—during the Exit Stage Left/Moving Pictures tour. I have only seen them one other time in Indianapolis in 1992—during the Roll the Bones tour.)
For my 60th birthday (which happened way back in February), Romey got us tickets to see Rush perform again. They were unbelievably good. But don’t believe me, have a listen to the videos shot using a pixel 8 posted below. And make sure you scroll down to the part where they play EVERY DAMN SONG ON MOVING PICTURES.
How good were they? I mean this face says it all.
Watching Geddy Lee bounce around on stage is an inspiration. Focused talent honed razor sharp.
The show opened with an extended Xanadu run
As you can tell, Anika Nilles fits into the sound perfectly…doing her own thing while respecting the world class drumming of Neil Peart. And the band is clearly having a great time.
Dreamline (from Roll the Bones). “like learning we are only immortal, for a limited time”
Cleanup on aisle 7. The crowd was not at all unruly (unlike, say, the Tennessee metal heads in 1981). They were as orderly as they were elderly.
Red Sector A (from Grace Under Pressure),
An extended version of La Villa Strangiato from Hemispheres
Set one (?!) ended with another song from 1980 Spirit of the Radio. I mean, this would have been a complete show all by itself. These guys are monsters!
I guess the real monsters are the old rich white guys who love Rush but still vote Republican. Idiots gonna idiot. There were many a bald head in sight. Maybe they are old rich liberals like me? Lets hope so.
After a short intermission (with a timer running on stage), the second half started with a complete run of Moving Pictures. Holy shit. Like a time machine to 15.
Tom Sawyer
Red Barchetta
YYZ
Limelight
The Camera Eye
Witch Hunt
Vital Signs “everybody got to deviate from the norm”
I mean, every frigging song on Moving Pictures as part of a set?! Bliss for the audience.
Though my phone battery was toast, I did manage to record Closer to the Heart, a song close to my heart.
It was extraordinary. The battery recharge will last me through the next Rush show, slated for 2071. Best birthday present ever.