A Look At New Rush Drummer Anika Nilles

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have given Rush fans their wish. They've waved their magic wand and, Presto, they will return to the road in 2026. It'll be their first since the death of drummer Neil Peart, who will be replaced by Anika Nilles.

The Canadian rockers made the announcement in an Oct. 6 video and in a statement saying Nilles will take on the "near impossible role" of filling in for the "irreplaceable" Peart, who died in 2020 of brain cancer at age 67.

Lee and Lifeson, both 72, are calling the upcoming tour, which kicks off June 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, the “Fifty Something” tour and said it would celebrate Rush’s legacy while also honoring Peart.

Here's What We Know About Anika Nilles

Nilles is a well-respected composer and drummer who hails from Germany. Her official Instagram account, which is filled with her drumming videos, boasts more than 377,000 followers. She toured with Jeff Beck in 2022, embarked on several solo tours, and frequently plays at drumming festivals, including the 2024 UK Drum Show. She has released four solo albums: “Pikalar” (2017), “For a Colorful Soul” (2020), “Opuntia” (2022) and “False Truth” (2025).

Below is a video of Nilles performing the track "Shine":

TOUR DATES

Sun Jun 07  Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum

Tue Jun 09  Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum

Thu Jun 11 Los Angeles, CA  Kia Forum

Sat Jun 13  Los Angeles, CA  Kia Forum

Thu Jun 18  Mexico City, MX  Palacio de los Deportes

Wed Jun 24  Fort Worth, TX  Dickies Arena

Fri Jun 26  Fort Worth, TX   Dickies Arena

Sun Jun 28  Fort Worth, TX  Dickies Arena

Tue Jun 30  Fort Worth, TX  Dickies Arena

Thu Jul 16  Chicago, IL  United Center

Sat Jul 18   Chicago, IL  United Center

Mon Jul 20  Chicago, IL   United Center

Wed Jul 22   Chicago, IL   United Center

Tue Jul 28   New York, NY   Madison Square Garden

Thu Jul 30   New York, NY   Madison Square Garden

Sat Aug 01 New York, NY  Madison Square Garden

Mon Aug 03  New York, NY  Madison Square Garden

Fri Aug 07   Toronto, ON   Scotiabank Arena

Sun Aug 09  Toronto, ON   Scotiabank Arena

Tue Aug 11  Toronto, ON  Scotiabank Arena

Thu Aug 13  Toronto, ON  Scotiabank Arena

Thu Sep 17      Cleveland, OH  Rocket Arena

Sat Sep 19    Cleveland, OH  Rocket Arena