launchpad67a Posted May 31 Posted May 31 No Spoilers - No Specifics - Just General Observations They did a full show rehearsal on Friday here in Phoenix at Desert Diamond Arena, and I got to work it. Rush, empty arena, running their entire show with full production, start to finish. Absolutely incredible experience! I do pyro for tons of concerts and large events, and when touring bands come through town they need my license to shoot pyro in most venues throughout the city. Since this was a "full production rehearsal", they had pyro, and that's why I was there. Check out my Youtube Channel ( https://www.youtube.com/@MikeKreidel ), and you'll see some of the big events I shoot - Post Malone, Lady Gaga, Super Bowl, etc ... doing Ed Sheeran in 2 weeks. I Will Not reveal anything specific about this show. What I can say is, the show is stunning, the setlist is amazing (some huge surprises), they sounded and looked great, Geddy's voice was very good, Anika played really well (but don't expect her to play all of Neil's parts - she covers what's important), the additional member Loren Gold (keyboards) played great and really helped take some pressure off Geddy. Overall, the visuals of this show are incredible, and the stage design is very cool. There is a 20 minute intermission - make sure you are back in your seat for the start of the second set. Seriously! Out of everything I saw and heard, the thing that struck me most was how bizarre it was to see them up there rockin' out on-stage, full show, then a song ends and it's complete silence in the arena. No crowd, no cheers, just silence. It was very foreign and a total mind f*ck. Sorry I can't share more. Really wish I could. If you're going to any of the shows, and they play well, you're in for a special treat. Enjoy! 20
Principled Man Posted May 31 Posted May 31 51 minutes ago, launchpad67a said: Anika played really well (but don't expect her to play all of Neil's parts - she covers what's important)….. GREAT NEWS. I would never want her to mimic every little thing that Neil did. I want a real drummer out there - not a mimic. 8
launchpad67a Posted May 31 Author Posted May 31 10 minutes ago, TheAnarchist2112 said: can you tell us how many songs there were? Unfortunately, no. I won't reveal specifics like that. There are plenty of songs for everyone, and you'll be very surprised by some. 4
Pig Posted May 31 Posted May 31 Thanks for sharing - getting me so excited for the July 18 Chicago show! Of all the Rush shows I’ve been to (6), this is really the first time I’m being intentional about going into the experience without any spoilers, so thanks for keeping everything a surprise! Having said that, is there anything you can say about any tributes to Neil in the show? Don’t need specifics of course, just any words you would use to describe or any reactions you had 3
launchpad67a Posted May 31 Author Posted May 31 6 minutes ago, Pig said: Having said that, is there anything you can say about any tributes to Neil in the show? Don’t need specifics of course, just any words you would use to describe or any reactions you had There are tributes. That's all I will say. You'll love them. 3
blueschica Posted May 31 Posted May 31 This is exciting! Thanks for the report! (And tell them to come to Rock Lititz next time, lol so I can see them in rehearsal.) 1 2
ytserush Posted May 31 Posted May 31 5 hours ago, launchpad67a said: No Spoilers - No Specifics - Just General Observations They did a full show rehearsal on Friday here in Phoenix at Desert Diamond Arena, and I got to work it. Rush, empty arena, running their entire show with full production, start to finish. Absolutely incredible experience! I do pyro for tons of concerts and large events, and when touring bands come through town they need my license to shoot pyro in most venues throughout the city. Since this was a "full production rehearsal", they had pyro, and that's why I was there. Check out my Youtube Channel ( https://www.youtube.com/@MikeKreidel ), and you'll see some of the big events I shoot - Post Malone, Lady Gaga, Super Bowl, etc ... doing Ed Sheeran in 2 weeks. I Will Not reveal anything specific about this show. What I can say is, the show is stunning, the setlist is amazing (some huge surprises), they sounded and looked great, Geddy's voice was very good, Anika played really well (but don't expect her to play all of Neil's parts - she covers what's important), the additional member Loren Gold (keyboards) played great and really helped take some pressure off Geddy. Overall, the visuals of this show are incredible, and the stage design is very cool. There is a 20 minute intermission - make sure you are back in your seat for the start of the second set. Seriously! Out of everything I saw and heard, the thing that struck me most was how bizarre it was to see them up there rockin' out on-stage, full show, then a song ends and it's complete silence in the arena. No crowd, no cheers, just silence. It was very foreign and a total mind f*ck. Sorry I can't share more. Really wish I could. If you're going to any of the shows, and they play well, you're in for a special treat. Enjoy! Thanks for the report. Sounds exactly as I would expect. They made you sign an NDA, yes? Does it expire after the first show of is it a perpetual thing? Would love to hear more details if possible. 1
launchpad67a Posted May 31 Author Posted May 31 24 minutes ago, ytserush said: They made you sign an NDA, yes? Actually no. It's a matter of professionalism and privacy in the industry. I'm there to do a job, and they are too. And considering the uniqueness of this gig (a pre-tour full rehearsal), I am not going to be the one who leaks anything. It would be job suicide, and I love my job. 8
WY Man Posted May 31 Posted May 31 Thank you very much for what you did share. I will see them at the L. A. Forum on June 7th and 9th. Do you have any information if cameras will be allowed inside? (like a very small SLR? Who would I contact if permission is necessary?) Thanks again. 3
Lurkst Posted May 31 Posted May 31 This is something Rush did for decades. I remember reading an account of them playing a full show rehearsal on the eve of the Moving Pictures tour, then at the end of the encore they played the entire set again. (I mean that was such a good setlist you'd want to 😁) 3
WY Man Posted May 31 Posted May 31 14 minutes ago, launchpad67a said: Actually no. It's a matter of professionalism and privacy in the industry. I'm there to do a job, and they are too. And considering the uniqueness of this gig (a pre-tour full rehearsal), I am not going to be the one who leaks anything. It would be job suicide, and I love my job. Thank you for NOT revealing any spoilers. This is in line with the band's expressed desire. 4
Principled Man Posted May 31 Posted May 31 Spoilers have been my Most Hated Thing in the World ever since my asshole brother spoiled both Superman (1978) and The Empire Strikes Back (1980) for the family. No, wait ... my asshole brother was my Most Hated Thing in the World. .... but I still really hate spoilers. 1 2
Brava Doh! Posted June 1 Posted June 1 Thanks for the report. I guess my only question would be if they performed what by length would be a single setlist, or if they did every song they rehearsed to see how the pyro/lazers and whatnot synced up. like if there’s four different shows they’d need four rehearsals, Maybe? 1
BlairC45 Posted June 1 Posted June 1 (edited) Thanks for the report, sounds like it's shaping up to be a nice comeback tour! Edited June 1 by BlairC45 2
TheAnarchist2112 Posted June 1 Posted June 1 Holy cow.... I am just SO EXCITED!!!! If we had been told even a year ago this would be happening........ I'm sure we'd be laughing our asses off at that. Still can't believe this is happening. 3
James Bond Posted June 1 Posted June 1 21 hours ago, launchpad67a said: Anika played really well (but don't expect her to play all of Neil's parts - she covers what's important), the additional member Loren Gold (keyboards) played great and really helped take some pressure off Geddy. This is exactly what I wanted to hear (and what I expected). I would never want Anika to be a carbon copy of Neil, but rather infuse her style into the signature parts, feel, and overall composition of the material. I was fortunate enough to see them at the Junos earlier this year and her approach on Finding My Way was perfect to my ears. Flawless drumming. It sounds like this is how she's interpreted the Neil material as well. I'm looking forward to some fresh takes on the classics thanks to her and Loren. 4
Blue J Posted June 1 Posted June 1 Great On 5/31/2026 at 1:16 PM, launchpad67a said: No Spoilers - No Specifics - Just General Observations They did a full show rehearsal on Friday here in Phoenix at Desert Diamond Arena, and I got to work it. Rush, empty arena, running their entire show with full production, start to finish. Absolutely incredible experience! I do pyro for tons of concerts and large events, and when touring bands come through town they need my license to shoot pyro in most venues throughout the city. Since this was a "full production rehearsal", they had pyro, and that's why I was there. Check out my Youtube Channel ( https://www.youtube.com/@MikeKreidel ), and you'll see some of the big events I shoot - Post Malone, Lady Gaga, Super Bowl, etc ... doing Ed Sheeran in 2 weeks. I Will Not reveal anything specific about this show. What I can say is, the show is stunning, the setlist is amazing (some huge surprises), they sounded and looked great, Geddy's voice was very good, Anika played really well (but don't expect her to play all of Neil's parts - she covers what's important), the additional member Loren Gold (keyboards) played great and really helped take some pressure off Geddy. Overall, the visuals of this show are incredible, and the stage design is very cool. There is a 20 minute intermission - make sure you are back in your seat for the start of the second set. Seriously! Out of everything I saw and heard, the thing that struck me most was how bizarre it was to see them up there rockin' out on-stage, full show, then a song ends and it's complete silence in the arena. No crowd, no cheers, just silence. It was very foreign and a total mind f*ck. Sorry I can't share more. Really wish I could. If you're going to any of the shows, and they play well, you're in for a special treat. Enjoy! Great to read a first-hand account like this- doing a job you said, yes, but also I think of it as such a huge fly on the wall sort of experience. Love it, looking forward to seeing them in Detroit on 26th August. 2
Blue J Posted June 1 Posted June 1 Also- I was just in Phoenix a couple of months ago. Timing is everything, damnit! 1
rugen Posted June 1 Posted June 1 Good to know it's not a dream, Rush will be ready in 7 days with all the fireworks that made them not only the best musical band to hear but to see live. 1
78jazz Posted June 1 Posted June 1 Are you willing to reveal how high up in the mix the keys were? I am curious how keys will be integrated into the songs, as I am under the impression that the keys are in all of the tunes. If this is a detail you are unwilling to share no biggie; I will find out soon enough.
launchpad67a Posted June 1 Author Posted June 1 3 minutes ago, 78jazz said: Are you willing to reveal how high up in the mix the keys were? The keys were up and plenty loud. Sounded great. 3
78jazz Posted June 1 Posted June 1 That makes me happy. I can wait on the setlist stuff anyway, as we should all know within 2 weeks what changes are coming. Since I will only see 2 shows at the most that is fine. Thank you for being willing to share what details you are able to. I wouldn't want to risk my job either if I had your gig. 2
BastillePark Posted June 1 Posted June 1 On 5/31/2026 at 10:16 AM, launchpad67a said: No Spoilers - No Specifics - Just General Observations They did a full show rehearsal on Friday here in Phoenix at Desert Diamond Arena, and I got to work it. Rush, empty arena, running their entire show with full production, start to finish. Absolutely incredible experience! I do pyro for tons of concerts and large events, and when touring bands come through town they need my license to shoot pyro in most venues throughout the city. Since this was a "full production rehearsal", they had pyro, and that's why I was there. Check out my Youtube Channel ( https://www.youtube.com/@MikeKreidel ), and you'll see some of the big events I shoot - Post Malone, Lady Gaga, Super Bowl, etc ... doing Ed Sheeran in 2 weeks. I Will Not reveal anything specific about this show. What I can say is, the show is stunning, the setlist is amazing (some huge surprises), they sounded and looked great, Geddy's voice was very good, Anika played really well (but don't expect her to play all of Neil's parts - she covers what's important), the additional member Loren Gold (keyboards) played great and really helped take some pressure off Geddy. Overall, the visuals of this show are incredible, and the stage design is very cool. There is a 20 minute intermission - make sure you are back in your seat for the start of the second set. Seriously! Out of everything I saw and heard, the thing that struck me most was how bizarre it was to see them up there rockin' out on-stage, full show, then a song ends and it's complete silence in the arena. No crowd, no cheers, just silence. It was very foreign and a total mind f*ck. Sorry I can't share more. Really wish I could. If you're going to any of the shows, and they play well, you're in for a special treat. Enjoy! Good thing you're not one of those spoiler weirdos or you'd be screwed. 4
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