10/09/2025
Anika Nilles will also be the first woman ever to attend a Rush concert!
New Rush drummer Anika Nilles says it’s "truly an honour" to be joining Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson on their reunion tour in 2026, and she has "big shoes to fill".
On Monday, Geddy and Alex dropped the momentous news that Rush will be returning to the stage in North America next summer 11 years on from the conclusion of the R40 Live Tour.
Playing drums on Rush’s Fifty Something Tour will be 42-year-old German musician Anika Nilles, who is perhaps best-known for performing with Jeff Beck on his final tour in 2022.
Sharing Rush’s announcement video on Instagram on Monday, Anika Nilles referenced the huge job she has following in the footsteps of the late-great Neil Peart.
"It's truly an honour," Anika said of joining Rush. "Big shoes to fill! Thank you, Geddy and Alex, for trusting me and welcoming me on this incredible journey with you!"