Rush is coming home this weekend — and they’re planning to make a big production out of it.
The Toronto progressive-rock legends say that all four of their sold-out Scotiabank Arena shows, beginning Friday, will be filmed in their entirety, to both capture a milestone in the band’s history and provide material for a likely concert film.
Geddy Lee told the Star that Toronto was a “natural choice” for filming since both he and Alex Lifeson grew up here.
“The demand for such a film has been off the charts, not only as a keepsake of their experience, but for those many fans that have not been able to see it live,” he wrote in an email.
“We know there are fans travelling here from all across the globe and that will make it a special week.”
A representative for the band says plans for the how the concert footage will be used is still being explored.
Lee said he was confident Rush fans would make the Toronto shows something to remember, being “louder and prouder than ever before” over Friday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.
Lee’s brother Allan Weinrib, a longtime Rush collaborator, will oversee the concert footage, marking his directorial debut after years producing the band’s projects, including the concert film “Rush: R40 Live.”
Bassist Lee, 73, and guitarist Lifeson, 72, were raised in the Willowdale neighbourhood of North York, and went to school together before forming the band, which defined an era of rock music with classics that include “Tom Sawyer,” “The Spirit of Radio” and “Closer to the Heart.”
This is the first time they’ve toured under the Rush name since 2015. Drummer Neil Peart died of brain cancer in 2020.
German drummer Anika Nilles joined the lineup and began months of extensive rehearsals last year to prepare for the tour. Since her debut, she’s won rave reviews from critics and fans for nailing Peart’s intricate skills behind the kit, while making the performance her own.
The North American leg of the Rush tour launched June 7 in Inglewood, Calif., and will wrap with two nights in Vancouver on Dec. 15 and 17. The band heads to South America and Europe early next year.
Other Rush events will be happening around Toronto this week.
The fourth annual Rush Day takes place at the Henderson Brewery (128A Sterling Rd.) on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with an official merchandise pop-up shop, a limited-edition beer, a pinball tournament and Rush karaoke.
Later that afternoon, Nilles will appear at music-instrument retailer Long & McQuade (925 Bloor St. W.) for an in-store signing event at 4 p.m.
RushCon, the long-running fan convention, begins this weekend with a pre-event social at the Loose Moose (146 Front St. W.) on Friday, before moving to the El Mocambo on Saturday for a full day of guest speakers, a charity auction and other programming, followed by a sunset boat cruise for three-day pass holders.
For Rush fans looking to explore the region on their own, the province’s tourism agency Destination Ontario has launched a webpage devoted to hotspots around the area connected to the band.
