Rush Return to the Road: Iconic Rock Trio Announce Milestone Anniversary Tour — First Shows Since Neil Peart’s Passing. Dates and Cities Revealed…
For the first time in nearly a decade, the unmistakable thunder of Rush is set to shake arenas once again. In a moment many believed might never arrive, the legendary Canadian rock band has announced a monumental return to the road next year, commemorating a milestone anniversary that celebrates their unmatched legacy while honoring the irreplaceable Neil Peart. The news has sent shockwaves through the rock world, igniting both nostalgia and renewed excitement as fans prepare for a historic comeback tour unlike anything Rush has ever attempted.
It has been a long and emotional road since Peart’s passing in January 2020. The drumming virtuoso — whose precision, poetic lyricism, and philosophical depth shaped Rush’s identity — left a void too large for many to imagine being filled. For years, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson made it clear that Rush as fans once knew it was over. They emphasized that without Neil, there could be no traditional reunion. However, as the band approaches the anniversary of their groundbreaking 1974 self-titled debut album, the surviving members began to feel a pull they could no longer ignore — a desire to celebrate the music, the brotherhood, and the era that transformed three young musicians from Toronto into one of the most innovative and beloved rock bands of all time.
This upcoming run — officially titled “The Timeless Waves Anniversary Tour” — will not simply be a Rush tour, nor a replacement of Peart’s role. Instead, it is envisioned as a tribute: a musical and emotional ceremony that blends performance, multimedia storytelling, and curated guest drummers chosen specifically to honor Peart’s style, brilliance, and spirit. As Geddy Lee said during the announcement, “This is not about moving on. It’s about moving forward with the love Neil gave us — and sharing it with the people who held him as dearly as we did.”
A Format Designed to Honor a Legend
Each show on the Timeless Waves Tour will feature a rotating cast of world-class drummers — artists who were either inspired by Peart or personally connected to him. While the full roster has not been publicly confirmed, insiders point to potential appearances from Dave Grohl, Danny Carey, Mike Portnoy, Taylor Hawkins’ son Shane, and even modern prog phenoms who grew up studying Rush albums like scripture. Rather than replacing Neil, these drummers will serve as interpreters, each adding their voice while keeping Peart’s unmistakable rhythmic DNA at the center.
The concerts will also include newly restored archival footage, isolated Peart drum tracks, and immersive visuals designed to celebrate his career — from the early days of Fly by Night to the conceptual brilliance of 2112, the explosive precision of Moving Pictures, and the introspective craftsmanship of Clockwork Angels.
Tour Dates and Cities Revealed
Rush’s 2025 Timeless Waves Anniversary Tour will span North America, Europe, and select dates in South America, making this the most geographically diverse Rush-related event since their 2015 R40 tour. Below is the first wave of officially announced dates:
North America — Spring 2025
March 28 — Toronto, ON — Scotiabank Arena (Opening Night)
March 31 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre
April 3 — New York, NY — Madison Square Garden
April 6 — Philadelphia, PA — Wells Fargo Center
April 9 — Washington, D.C. — Capital One Arena
April 12 — Atlanta, GA — State Farm Arena
April 16 — Chicago, IL — United Center
April 20 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
April 24 — Los Angeles, CA — Kia Forum
April 27 — San Francisco, CA — Chase Center
May 1 — Seattle, WA — Climate Pledge Arena
Europe — Summer 2025
June 4 — London, UK — The O2
June 7 — Manchester, UK — AO Arena
June 11 — Paris, France — Accor Arena
June 15 — Berlin, Germany — Mercedes-Benz Arena
June 18 — Amsterdam, Netherlands — Ziggo Dome
June 22 — Stockholm, Sweden — Friends Arena
South America — Fall 2025
September 5 — São Paulo, Brazil — Allianz Parque
September 9 — Buenos Aires, Argentina — Movistar Arena
September 13 — Santiago, Chile — Estadio Nacional
A Return Fueled by Reflection, Legacy, and Connection
The announcement arrives during a period of renewed energy in the Rush universe. Geddy Lee’s memoir and recent documentary appearances have brought fans closer to the emotional and creative forces behind the band, while Alex Lifeson’s various musical collaborations have showcased a continued hunger for artistic expression. Rumors of a small-scale project or tribute had circulated for months, but few imagined something of this scale.
In an emotional press conference, Lee addressed the decision to return to the stage: “We spent years thinking the door was closed. But as we revisited the music, the memories, and Neil’s words, we realized that his art doesn’t end because he’s no longer here physically. It continues through all of us — through the fans, the players he inspired, and through the music we created together.”
Lifeson echoed the sentiment: “This tour isn’t about replacing Neil. That would be impossible. It’s about celebrating him. It’s about sharing this anniversary with the world. And it’s about saying thank you.”
Fan Reaction: A Mixture of Joy and Emotion
Within minutes of the tour announcement, social media erupted. Longtime fans expressed everything from gratitude and disbelief to tears of both joy and remembrance. Many pointed out that this tour will serve as a rare opportunity to experience Rush’s music live again — not as a typical rock concert, but as a communal celebration of one of rock’s greatest legacies.
A New Chapter, Not a Replacement
Rush’s Timeless Waves Tour is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most meaningful musical events — a fusion of tribute, innovation, and memory that honors Neil Peart while inviting the world to celebrate the band’s extraordinary journey. It marks the beginning of a new chapter that respects the past without attempting to rewrite it.
Tickets are expected to sell out instantly. For fans old and new, this tour represents not just a return to the stage, but a return to the heart of what Rush has always stood for — resilience, creativity, brotherhood, and the enduring power of music.
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