Legendary Canadian rock band Rush is officially reuniting for a North American tour in 2026. This time, though, a new drummer will be joining them — German musician and composer Anika Nilles. The tour, titled Fifty Something, will be the band’s first since the passing of their iconic drummer and lyricist Neil Peart in 2020. The reunion aims to celebrate Peart’s legacy while beginning a fresh chapter for one of rock’s most influential groups.
Anika Nilles, born on May 29, 1983, in Germany, is known around the world for her masterful drumming, intricate rhythms, and expressive style. Music has been in her blood from the start — her father, uncles, and cousins were all drummers. She began playing at just six years old, inspired by the sounds around her. In one interview, she fondly recalled, “My father taught me the first grooves as soon as he realized I was interested in drumming.”
Before becoming a full-time musician, Anika actually worked in social education. She later followed her passion and earned a degree in popular music from Popakademie Baden-Württemberg in Mannheim. Her professional breakthrough came in the early 2010s when she started uploading her original tracks — like Wild Boy and Alter Ego — to YouTube. The videos went viral, showing her unique talent to millions of people and earning her global recognition.
Since then, Anika has toured across Europe, the U.S., and China, impressing audiences with her precision and dynamic performances. She released her first album Pikalar in 2017, followed by For a Colorful Soul, which received wide praise and even climbed to number three on the U.S. iTunes Top 40 Jazz Charts. Her work has been featured in Modern Drummer Magazine, and since 2021, she has led the drums department at her alma mater, Popakademie Baden-Württemberg.
On October 6, 2025, Rush officially announced that Anika would be joining them as their new drummer for the 2026 reunion tour. The news, confirmed by Rolling Stone, has created a wave of excitement among fans. Founding members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson made it clear that Anika is not replacing Neil Peart but honoring him through her art. They described her addition as a continuation of Neil’s musical spirit — a bridge between technical brilliance and heartfelt expression. Anika herself draws inspiration from legends like Jeff Porcaro and Carter Beauford, giving her style both precision and soul.
The Fifty Something tour will kick off on June 7, 2026, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles — the same venue where Rush played their final show in 2015. From there, the band will travel through major cities including Mexico City, Chicago, New York, Toronto, and Cleveland, before wrapping up on September 17, 2026. The tour announcement follows the release of Rush 50, a greatest hits collection celebrating the band’s five decades in music.
For fans who once thought Rush would never perform again after Neil’s passing, this reunion is a powerful reminder that their legacy still lives on — louder and stronger than ever.