upstateNYfan

Even though he has made many of his feelings clear through the years, Neil is a very passionate musician, this idea he 'has made his mind up' seems to go against how involved he has been in the art of drumming. This is also an important part of his life I think. Some of this feels a little too funeral like and I guess it just seems to diminish how much creating and making music must mean to them. Nonetheless, I made plans to take in as much as possible this time, all the way to the Forum!

 

It's sad, no doubt. I'm sure they all have many other interests OUTSIDE music they'd like to pursue, as well a little something called family.

Complete speculation on my part, but perhaps it's only Neil who wants to retire and Geddy and Alex don't, and perhaps don't have a plan of what to say or do.

So I'm curious have they actually said this is the final tour? Only last tour of this magnitude right? And the interviews have literally avoided stating that these are the final shows. So if Occam's Razor states the answer with the least assumptions is the correct answer than the correct answer is this isn't the end.

 

I personally have no idea, the world kind of works that way. The fact that anyone in here is saying they know for sure is pretty funny. But hey, when it's anonymous on the internet who cares what you say. Right, Bard?

 

With logic and basic reasoning of information while using the least amount of assumptions it seems to be no, this isn't the end. But at the end of the day anyone claiming to know anything for certain is probably the least correct.

If you knew what has been happening "behind the scenes", you'd have a very different take on it. This IS the end. Neil will NEVER tour again. Take that to the bank.

 

FOH, can you give us a hint?

By all indications this does seem to be it. A couple posters here are obviously involved with the band and haven't been inaccurate yet.

 

Is it possible at some point they'll play again? Yes. But it seems exceedingly unlikely. It sounds like Neil is ready to move on. He isn't the type to do anything half-assed, so doing just a couple shows doesn't seem viable unless there is a ton of cash thrown at them. Plus, the only "one off" they've done is the SARS Fest thing - but they were a lot younger then. Honestly, I'd say it's probably 10% we'll see them again.

 

Dr. Seuss had it right: be thankful it happened.

I get the feeling they've known this is the end for several months but are not comfortable outright saying it. The seagull and the Exit Stage Left outro video seem prophetic. Ditto the tour book.

I've seen several fans post, that the crowd was small?

Think those fans were being sarcastic. It was a full house.

I think the question is "how late are they hitting the stage after the announced start time?" For Tampa they started about 7-8 minutes late which. Is pretty good.

I should not have been snarky - yes, I'd say they start "casually late".

Um, ticket stub? Ticket site? Box office?

I don't know... I hate to say it, but I think LA will be the end.

 

There's so much planning involved, and at this juncture it almost seems silly to think they'll play any dates in Europe or otherwise. I hope I'm wrong though.

I think the tourbook says it all.

 

None of you are wrong - there's lots of fun subjectivity to be had.

 

Also, "40" could easily be marketed/defended as 40 years since Neil's first album with them.

I noticed that too, and appreciated its simplicity but also its possible profundity.

 

My take: they've "hashed out" 40 years and are retiring and playing for the fans, "living it all again" one last time.

You're only partly right. Rush still isn't for everyone, as much as we hate to say that. They've said they're most at home in arenas. And even if they did play a handful of stadiums, ticket prices would be lower to justify the larger capacity. Almost zero chance.

Seems pretty clear from the tour book they don't plan on anymore touring.

I'd say it's a 10% chance. They're hitting all the biggest markets and are ending in LA. Additionally, most indications I've read suggest this is really it.

 

I do wonder if a Cleveland show will get added, but at this point - and with many of those people packing Columbus or Buffalo - I really doubt it.

They didn't do The Weapon yet? That will be the next concert. I'm just positive.

As awesome as that would be, I don't see Subdivisions moving for it. Sorry, Lorraine. :(

 

Why not? They could alternate the two. Subdivisions has been played in many tours. The last time they did The Weapon was in the mid-eighties.

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed just the same. :)

 

It's one of the 5 songs a casual fan may actually know. Subdivisions is a lock to stay.

 

But casual fans don't attend the concerts.

They do! In fact, many do.

FYI....Concert Photos are spoilers

 

I went to the Foreigner concert Friday and sat next to a Rush fan..who decided to try and show me the streaming setlist..WTF. I saw one song when he stuck his phone in my face. I was ready to punch his ass.

 

Prone to overstatement much?

Was there a montage from the fans shown last night? I thought I heard they were gathering fan photos but I don't know if anything came about.

I don't get the whole Calgary thing. It is a country music city. It has never really sold that great for them. They haven't even opened the top level there. Vancouver is at 54% too. They should have given a show at the Alaska Airlines Arena and checked off a state they never played before. Hell, hit North Dakota too. They have been in one of the biggest economic booms the last 10 years and they never touched it. They are starving for shows and entertainment there. When bands do show up there they sell out right away.

Very suprised about Vancouver.

Sorry, Far Cry - I didn't see your correction. Cheers!

I said where they are coming from. A friend works for Pollstar's reporting division and I asked if he could pull up current capacity estimates. Newark is 63% sold.

How is Newark 63% sold with 300 seats left?

Rush fans are impossible to please, it seems. I'd guess only 1% of the audience even knows about this board, and even fewer that want The Necromancer over, say, Dreamline. Don't forget, they're a business first - they have to sell tickets, and playing I Think I'm Going Bald ain't gonna please 95% of the audience. It's a tough balance I'm sure.

Actually touring is glamorous at their level. What most do not understand are the tedium and separation that wreaks so much havoc. The body gets old and moves on to other things - like family and hobbies. :)

Reading all the interviews and stuff with Ged & Al.. I can't help but think "Neil has finally left Geddy & Alex hung out to dry, and they both aren't sure how to really deal with it....." This scenario has been brewing for almost 20 years... And it shows what absolute class acts Geddy & Alex are, having dealt with "Mr Personality" and his constant need for attention for all these years..... I'm starting to think I really hope this is it for Neil.... Maybe now Geddy & Alex can FINALLY get in a studio together, at THEIR pace, and finally get back to writing the music THEY like, about themes THEY like, without having to deal with the last 3 albums of tragedy influenced lyrics that have been dragging the music and the band down since 2001....... ENOUGH of that.... As sad as it is (Believe me I've had tragedies in my life similar to Neil's, so I can identify with him....) time to let all that go, and start anew.... Alex says Geddy has been kind of "reborn" musically, these two are like brothers...... Let that other guy who they barely have any relationship with anyways go his own way, and be done with it... Lift your sleeves up, and get back to writing!! Geddy and Alex will ALWAYS have the fans behind them, they have shown nothing but class, and gentleness towards the fans, forever... Just look at the two recent airport pics....... I will continue to encourage anything these two put out... But I can't see any way to ever support the other 3rd of the band's retirement again past this last show..... So please, Neil... Do the right thing. Call it a day OFFICIALLY, and let the other two go on on their way.... I Can see it in Geddy's eyes in every interview that he's tired of that "We'll see in five years" thing....... He wants to play and record NOW!!!!!!!!! Geddy flew out to London to play ONE song with The Who's backup band... He's nowhere near done..... :geddy: :Alex:

 

No one is left out to dry. It takes strength of character and a high degree of maturity to say, "You know what guys, I've had enough. I have other interests and one of them is family. There's nothing more to prove, and we all have limited time. It's time to bow out." Granted, I am doing nothing but speculating, but I say GOOD FOR HIM. Self-awareness is a rare asset. Going out on top is what winners do.

Fine line between fan and creeper.

This tour will be the biggest yet. Tulsa is a secondary market, so if they draw, say, 8500, they're doing really well.