Rush played their first live reunion show with new drummer Anika Nilles replacing late drummer Neil Peart. Fans criticized Geddy Lee’s voice while praising Anika’s playing, CBC Music reported.
The band made a surprise performance of “Finding My Way” at the Juno Awards. This marked their return to live performance with their new lineup.
“Rush does a surprise performance of Finding My Way at the Juno Awards,” CBC Music reported.
Fan reactions were mixed. Many expressed concern about Geddy Lee’s vocal performance while acknowledging the quality of the new drummer’s playing.
“Geddy, my old friend, you can help it, aging. Nobody can. Even I love to see you singing, but for the tour you need a secondary singer,” one Rush fan commented on the band’s performance. “You are forcing your voice a lot. Think about your health first please.”
Another fan praised the new drummer while acknowledging the overall sound quality.
“Anika’s a pro drummer. If she can’t do it, no one can! That being said, I’m surprised how good it sounded,” another Rush fan commented. “Really really good and should only get better. Neil will always be remembered as the best!”
However, not all reactions were positive regarding the vocal performance.
“That sucked. Nobody loves Rush more than I do, but Geddy’s voice is gone,” another Rush fan said about the band’s comeback.
The Juno Awards performance represents a significant milestone for the Canadian rock legends. It marks their first live appearance since their final show on August 1, 2015.
National Today noted that the band’s comeback at the 2026 Juno Awards on March 29, 2026, ended an 11-year hiatus from live performance. The newly formed Rush lineup features founding members Geddy Lee on bass and vocals alongside guitarist Alex Lifeson and new drummer Anika Nilles.
The surprise performance serves as a preview for Rush’s upcoming “Fifty Something” world tour. The tour was announced in October 2025. National Today confirmed the tour is scheduled to begin on June 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. This gives fans their first opportunity to see the band’s new configuration in a full concert setting.
Despite mixed fan reactions to Lee’s vocal performance, some music critics offered a different perspective on the frontman’s abilities. NotReble observed that Geddy Lee’s voice sounded as good as ever during the performance. The bassist held down both his instrumental and vocal duties effectively.
The performance also highlighted the challenging position of new drummer Anika Nilles. She faces the difficult task of following in the footsteps of the late Neil Peart. NotReble emphasized that Nilles has the difficult task of honoring Neil’s parts while still bringing her own style to the legendary band’s sound.
