Dream Theater drummer and longtime Rush fan Mike Portnoy shared a detailed review of the band’s comeback tour with new drummer Anika Nilles. Portnoy, who was also once considered as a possible replacement for Neil Peart in a Rush reunion, received a direct response from Nilles on his post.
Portnoy’s post recounted attending a recent Rush show for the second time on the tour, praising the setlist and the performance of the band’s new lineup.
“Went and saw Rush again last night for the 2nd time on this tour (NYC # 2 & Philly # 2)…absolutely amazing show once again!” Portnoy said. “I got lucky as the sets were very different…last nights being a new unique variation which had them playing both La Villa Strangiato and A Farewell To Kings back to back!! (The two songs I was hoping to hear the most!)”
He went on to describe meeting Nilles before the show and shared his thoughts on how she has approached stepping into the drummer’s role.
“Was able to spend some time with the Queen before the show! Thank you so much Anika for the hospitality,” Portnoy continued. “I cannot express enough how happy I am for her and the band. She is absolutely PERFECT for this gig! Handling most of Neil’s nuances while still bringing her own style and swing to the music (but always with the utmost respect). You can feel the whole audience rooting for her through the whole show and I LOVE that!!!”
Portnoy closed his post by congratulating Nilles and the rest of the band on the tour.
“Congratulations to her and Geddy & Alex on this tour,” he said. “The amount of time and dedication they’ve put into the show(s) is incredible and I think they’ve gone above & beyond anybody’s expectations delivering a show that is worthy of the bands legacy and also honors Neil memory with the utmost respect. I am so proud to be a Rush fan!”
Nilles responded to Portnoy’s post directly, writing: “It was a huge pleasure to finally meet you Mike!!”
The exchange between Portnoy and Nilles offers a glimpse into just how much work has gone into bringing Rush’s “Fifty Something” tour to life since it kicked off in June.
Nilles landed the gig after a five-day audition process, ultimately earning the seat through the personal approval of Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. The German drummer, previously known for touring with Jeff Beck, wasn’t deeply familiar with Rush’s catalog before joining. Her rapid mastery of Peart’s intricate parts has made her rise all the more remarkable to longtime fans.
Nilles received a reassuring message from Carrie Nuttall, Neil Peart’s widow, before stepping behind the kit for her first show. The message helped ease her nerves ahead of one of the most scrutinized debuts in rock history. That gesture set the tone for a tour built around honoring Peart’s legacy while giving Nilles room to bring her own voice to the music.
The “Fifty Something” tour launched on June 7 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. It has since grown into a sprawling run of 58 shows across 24 cities spanning the United States, Canada and Mexico. Rush has structured the shows around two sets drawn from a rotating pool of nearly 40 songs, ensuring no two nights look exactly alike. That detail lines up with Portnoy’s account of catching a fresh set list combination during his second viewing of the tour.
The band’s four-show stand in Toronto, its hometown, marked the first time Rush had played the city in over a decade. All four performances were filmed for a future release. That homecoming, paired with the ongoing wave of glowing reviews from artists like Portnoy, underscores how thoroughly Nilles has won over both the band and its fan base since taking her seat at the kit.
