On Friday night I got to see my first ever live RUSH concert. My mind is blown. From the opening notes of Subdivisions to the ominous closing words of 2112 Part VII: The Grand Finale, the concert rocked. Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart may be aging, but they certainly don’t act any older. Alex can still play guitar like no one else, with beautifully melodic solos and an intense energy that is only matched and amplified by Neil’s focused drumming (I swear he doesn’t actually look at the drum kit and just KNOWS where each piece is) and Geddy’s bass, vocals, and skipping around the stage. There really is nothing else like it.
A complete setlist from their Denver show can be found here. Note that the string ensemble they had backing them during the Clockwork Angels tracks also played during YYZ. That’s right. YYZ. Live. WITH A STRING ENSEMBLE. I need to go lie down now.
The Swords of the Ancients 
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They are my favorite band. I took my brother-in-law to see them for my early birthday present. Sunday at the Sprint Center was the biggest crowd I’d personally seen and everything shook from the excellent rocking. The strings were a cool touch and we had the extra surprise of seeing Paul Rudd playing “conductor” during YYZ. My favorite moment was Tom Sawyer. Every time I hear it live, I get that tingly feeling all over. And I got a new concert shirt!
Sounds like you had a great experience as well. I got my first concert shirt, and wished I had the money to buy some of the higher-end merchandise. They sell some amazing stuff. I think I’m hooked on their live shows now.
Most of the merchandise is cool but I can’t fork out $100. I’m up to 4 shirts now. Always a great show. Bands that sound just as good live as recorded as well as into 30+ years of touring are hard to find.
Right? I was very impressed that Geddy could still hit and hold those high notes, especially with the altitude in Denver. I can’t wait to have a chance to see them again.
A modern-day warrior, mean mean stride; today’s Tom Sawyer, mean mean pride!
Exactly.
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[…] had the tremendous privilege of seeing him perform live on two occasions (August 2nd, 2013, and July 11th, 2015). I can’t pinpoint the moment in my life when Rush became my favorite […]