"We've got way too much music for you. We're going to punish you" Say Geddy Lee, with relish. And punished we were.

If your definition of punished is almost three and a half hours of skilfully played, finely executed, almost militarily precise prog-rock that is; courtesy of Rush -  the only band in the world to be dubbed ‘math rock' , because of all the odd time signatures, by the Green Lantern comicstrip.

From the opening instrumental medley starting with the first song from their debut 30 years ago to final goodbye over 35 songs and three and a half hours later, Rush don't leave anyone shortchanged, especially not with a mammoth stageshow tailored for American stadiums. Mind you, they could be making up for the fact that these are the first UK dates in a long overdue 12 years, and only their third UK tour in over two decades. Though nominally plugging their recent "feedback" release of covers of bands which inspired them, it's telling that of all those bands of that period have either retreated into obscurity via a more selective fanbase (Spinal Tap style) or split. Rush on the other hand, are the only one seemingly going, and packing them in. Rush are an anomaly, with little or no media profile, and yet able to sell out multiple nights in arena's round Britain seemingly effortlessly; and they haven't even dented the top forty since 1983.

With the majority of their set firmly drawn from the earlier parts of their career, the name of the game is definitely nostalgia. And it was not for the uninitiated - you're hardly likely to hear Rush on the radio or TV, and they only play 4 out of their 15 UK singles. But singles were never what this band were about. Even with a 30+ song set, the hardcore fan could easily gripe about the classics they left out, such are the highlights of their catalogue.

Rather predictably, the audience were enthusiastic for the long-established favourites such as Tom Sawyer, 2112, and the powerhouse instrumental showcase YYZ. However, such enthusiasm would wane when more recent, and lesser heard material such as Earthshine and One Little Victory were played. Piledriving and raw rockers these tracks maybe, showing Rush trying to meld their slick 80's Reggae-New Wave-Prog hybrid sound with their original power trio roots of 60's rockers such as Led Zeppelin and Cream, but they tended to fall on flat ears. These newer songs were monstrous slabs of bludgeoning riffola, heavy and huge, but it was clear it was a trip down memory lane for many here. The first big cheer of the night came with a brief fragment of Passage to Bangkok, and then Spirit of Radio, with synchronised handclaps the arena wide.

With the length and breadth of the setlist, as well as their prolonged absence from a patient fanbase, the best received material came firmly from the years when Rush established themselves in England ; whilst they were playing  multi-part epics like Xanadu or the classic 20 minute 2112 opus over multiple nights at Hammersmith Odeon, the press were running around proclaiming the genius of Sham 69. Consequently, many of the best received tracks were the likes of which haven't graced a UK stage in twenty years, such as Red Barchetta, or The Trees, the latter being either the result of a metaphor about territorial nationalism, or the product of reading too much Tolkien, depending on your point of view.

The band seemed genuinely surprised at the response they received, and though much of newer material lacked the light and shade of  earlier and more diverse pieces, this seemed to be reflected in the stageshow; the newer material would appear stripped down of the flashier elements of the lightshow, yet the older material often embellished with lasers and smoke. However, it was inevitable that the older songs would stand out and be received best, due to their familiarity. There's a welcome return for many songs here - Subdivisions, complete with a psychedelic fractal lightshow - and a pumped up and almost proto-techno-rock "Red Sector A", replete with lasers, all show the light and shade so often lacking when they are rocking.

However, Rush are well known for their muscianship and that's immediateley apparent, and never more so that during Neil Peart's drum solo, which is backdropped on the arena wide video screens with images of Buddy Rich and  Gene Krupa  before mutating, unexpectedly, into a traditional jazz number. And that's before an gobsmackingly impressive non-stop 40 minute medley of their 70's material starting with the raptously received "2112" to the closing "Working Man", via the standout instrumental "La Villa Strangiato".

For all their musical value, the band would be nothing without some production values to go with it - and on that from they didn't disappoint. From the wall of flame that erupted during "One Little Victory" that would a Michael Bay movie to shame, to the laser display and impressive lightshow, it looked and sounded fantastic.

Fortunately though, this display never outstripped the fact that the band certainly and clearly still enjoy playing onstage together 30 years on. When guitarist Alex Lifeson spends the entire show throwing silly faces just because he can, but mainly because he's enjoying himself, and then when Alex and Bassist/singer Geddy Lee start playfully chasing each other around the stage, behind the monitors and back again, it's clear the band are enjoying every second of it. And when they are introduced by a video segment starring Ben Stiller's dad as an aging rocker who plays air guitar, you know there's going to be a playful sense of humour involved, whether it's specially animated and tongue in cheek movies - want to see Rush as bobbleheads fight a dragon trying to set fire to an asbestos factory? - or the pirate flags and parrot on the shoulder that Geddy Lee wears for 2112, which is partially retitled The Pirates of Syrinx you know this isn't a serious po-faced display of art. And having not played the UK in 12 years, a fact recognised by guitarist Alex Lifeson in an improvised piece towards the end, when he sang  "I gotta go, it's been sad and fun , coz it's been 12 years.....", few here would want to wait that long to see them in the UK again, and somehow I think that includes the guys on stage.

Ending the night with a selection of covers from their recent tribute to artists that inspired them in the form of new album ‘feedback', it seemed like the band had gone back full circle to the full-on power trio rock that made them want to form a band in the first place, courtesy of covers of Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues" and Cream's "Crossroads" , not to mention the cover of the Who's "The Seeker" earlier on.  The same power trio that started in the rehearsal room, playing tunes they loved, just for the enjoyment for it. 30 years on, nothing changed but the size of the audience. Behind the band, the images of them onstage over the years come up on the video screens, and , for a small moment, it's like watching teenage boys whose dreams came true and suddenly discovered they were in a rock band.

Not many bands can last 30 years, and certainly not without having something special. Rush tonight showed how special they are.  

Set I:2004 Medley / (Finding My Way- Anthem- Bastille Day- A Passage To Bangkok-Cygnus X-1 (Prologue)- Hemispheres (Prelude))/Spirit Of Radio / Force Ten  / Animate / Subdivisions / Earthshine / Red Barchetta /Roll The Bones / Bravado / YYZ / The Trees (inc I feel fine / Daytripper)/ The Seeker / One Little Victory
Set II:Tom Sawyer / Dreamline / Secret Touch / Between the Wheels / mystic Rhythms / Red Sector A / The Rhythm Method / Resist / heart Full of Soul / Medley - 2112: overture / temples Of Syrinx / Finale / la Villa Strangiatio / By-tor And the Snow Dog / Xanadu / Working Man / Encore:Summertime Blues / Crossroads / Limelight 

Comments

Written by Guest on 2004-09-16 10:05:45 too many pictures & theyr'e too large. PS this reads as if a geography teacher wrote it...

Written by Guest on 2004-09-16 13:43:58 Spot on!  I was there, and will cherish that night.    Brilliant review.

Written by Guest on 2004-09-16 14:13:36 Nice review dude. I did the opener at Wembley and the MEN on Sunday.     ...gonna need surgery to get this grin off my face.

POOR SOUND Written by Guest on 2004-09-17 05:19:26 BEEN A FAN FOR 25 YEARS SOUND AT THIS SHOW WAS *@$%^^& WE EXPECT A LOT MORE

Top Men Written by Guest on 2004-09-17 08:17:54 Seeing the boys for the first time in 12 years brought tears to my eyes.  Quite sinply the greatest act there's ever been.  Don't leave it so long next time boys.  andy121064

Written by Guest on 2004-09-17 08:19:23 Sound fluctuated - started poor lots of high frequency zing but did get better throughout the night. Not too sure about the Look! Neil can smile moment... all a bit predictable.    I was disappointed with the lack of energy in the audience - lots of comments about how old everyone was!    Otherwise I couldn't fault it - certainly value for money. I've loved Rush from the very first time I heard Hemispheres all those years ago and this gig was definitely a long awaited friend.

sound and stuff Written by greed on 2004-09-17 09:26:28 Lots of people seem to have commented on the sound at the gig - from where i was (on the floor at the front) It seemed well balanced, and lots of high end on Alex's guitars, but there again he's always has had lots of treble on his sound. However, I have no idea where sound was elsewhere in the venue, but it was OK down front. As for the look, well, it wasn't that predictable when you haven't seen them in twelve years...

on fire !!! Written by Guest on 2004-09-17 10:58:19 these guys were on fire (almost literally at the end of set one!!!) tonight 110904 NEC.Haven't seen 'em for 24 years-still fantastic-pound for pound the best rock band in the universe-heres to the next 30 years!!!!

Worth the wait Written by Guest on 2004-09-17 12:20:24 Great review - thanks for the playlist - fantastic gig - haven't smiled so much in years !    Reminded me just how much I love their music - thanks guys come again SOON !

guest Written by Guest on 2004-09-18 15:48:51 wited to long to smile like this. Return of class act.

guest Written by Guest on 2004-09-18 15:51:01 at last a band that can play live, take note critics.

What a night! Written by Guest on 2004-09-20 15:51:00 Having been a Rush fan for as long as I remember this night was perfection, a dream come true. Brought tears to my eyes, I hope a DVD of the night will follow. I cannot understand the critism of the sound it was perfect from my location, everything balanced and just the right volume. Lights sound, videos, pyrotechnics the epitome of a perfect rock concert. I will stop now, I think you know what I thought by now.

rocking Written by Guest on 2004-09-21 05:43:37 what a eefing night ,they rocked ,as did most of us standing for 3+hours .this was the best of the 3 shows that i attended.wembley 1 and 2 being the others. i,d just like to thank my two brothers andy and rob for 3 fantastic days three shows and 3 huge hang overs .thanks guys see you 12 years when we,ll do it all over again from our wheel chairs   coz were ere   steve smith

PHIL DAWTREY Written by Guest on 2004-09-22 04:50:36 The most amezing gig I,ve been to in years the 7th time i,ve seen RUSH scince 1978 ,what a treat my teenage kids loved it ,we waited years to behold this and were not disappointed,I hope this isnt the last time they come over " A Fairwell To Kings " Phil and the gang .

Rush Picture Written by Guest on 2004-09-22 15:03:50 I was just looking at your site and was wondering how you got that picture of Geddy Lee at Radio City Music Hall? The reason why I am asking is that is my picture that you are using and I don't know how you or anybody was able to obtain a copy of it. Is it your policy to steal pictures from people without there knowledge.

Written by markreed on 2004-09-23 13:54:33 Fair Use applies. I'm sure someone somewhere will come up with a full response later. In the ,eantime, it is Geddy Lee's face you took a photo of, did you ask his permission first?

Rush Rules! Written by Guest on 2004-09-23 22:04:18 They know how to put on a show. They are clearly one of the best bands ever!

BONE ROLLING Written by Guest on 2004-09-27 15:22:32 Cheers Stevie, yeah we really rocked and I thought the Bones tour was good.  This was better still and as you said they and we really rocked. I will never forget you Rolling first night Wembley.   I havn't stopped smiling ever since.  Cheers big broth...! what a summer.  see you on the next tour  Andy Smith(Dorset)

dog_book Nottingham Written by Guest on 2004-10-07 13:28:53 Very good on Roll the Bones tour....and yet again very good, saw em twice at NEC. No words can describe it, come back soon please

Sound Stuff! Written by Guest on 2004-10-07 21:22:18 This was my third show of the UK leg of the tour and what a cracker it was too! Of the three shows I had the best seats for this one. About 10 rows back from the front    Firstly, wasn't it a great show? All the Rush shows I've been to over the years have left me with fond memories and this one didn't dissapoint. So many songs played and yet so many more that I would have loved them to play (such a shame that the Vapour Trails tour didn't make it to our shores - at least we have the DVD).    As far as the sound is concerned, I really felt that the volume was turned up too much as the night went on. On this particular night at the NEC I had managed to book great seats (about 10 rows back, centre stage) and the overall sound balance was very good. Thankfully, I missed the main blast of the PA so my hearing was not destroyed as it had been on the Saturday show and the Wembley show the previous Thursday! On both of those occasions the PA had pretty much fried my hearing by the end of the show. This was a real shame as it was just not possible to hear what was going on very well on these nights. I knew Alex was playing the right notes (except for his clanger during LVS at Wembley ) but I just couldn't make much of it out. The bass end was very woolly and began to obscure the rest of the sound as the volume levels were pushed up during the show. A lot of these problems must be down to the venues themselves but I can't help but think that backing off the volume level a bit might help? Neither the NEC or Wembley arena are all that great but the NEC is definitely superior in every way. I won't bother with Wembley again. Traffic was hell and the place was a building site, but it did bring back fantastic memories of when I first saw the band with my own eyes way back on the Signals Tour.    I have to say that this last show at the NEC really did it for me, after the other two were less than I had expected because of the sound quality/volume issues. Met Howard Ungerleider again after about 20 years. Didn't he make a grat job of the lighting? Thanks again.    Well, I can't wait for the return of the greatest, time-honoured trio on earth (and their super slick crew) but I'm gonna have to! Next special date Dec 21: Rush party at my place, kick off 9:12pm. :D

they rocked Written by Guest on 2004-11-18 15:21:27 forget the sound , the audience parcipitation to somme ...think what it ment to yourself, the feeling and movement it made inside you.  for me , and i saw them 3 x's this tour, they were mint and yes i shed some tears, you saw a unique one and only band that once gone , you'll never see the likes again..... waiting to see if these commercial rock bands prove me wrong....bon jovi,metallica etc ect ...lets see if they can doa rush 30 !!!!!!!

RULED Written by Guest on 2004-12-25 10:49:08 THAT SHOW SIMPLY RULED

made my year Written by Guest on 2005-04-07 18:45:25 Well 20 years is a long time .but by god was it worth it...I should think so.  Buy the bootleg it's awesome .11/9/04.this will stay with me.long live the gods Geddy/peart/lifeson.Please come back us brummies love you.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment 1.0 beta 2!