What to expect at Rush’s Fifty Something Tour: Setlist, start time and more

There was a time when another Rush tour felt almost impossible. After the band’s R40 Live tour ended in 2015 and drummer Neil Peart died in 2020, many fans assumed they had seen Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson perform Rush songs on a major stage for the last time.

The “Fifty Something Tour” changes that. Rush is back on the road with Lee, Lifeson, drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold for a career-spanning arena tour that celebrates more than 50 years of Rush music, honors Peart’s legacy and brings one of rock’s deepest catalogs back to the stage. Whether you are searching for the Rush “Fifty Something Tour” setlist, wondering what time Rush goes on stage or trying to figure out when to arrive, here is what fans should know before heading to the show.

Rush “Fifty Something Tour” overview

The “Fifty Something Tour” marks Rush’s first major tour since R40 Live in 2015. The tour began June 7, 2026 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, the same venue where Rush played the final show of the R40 Live tour in 2015.

The run is built as a full-catalog celebration rather than a new-album tour. Rush is playing two-set shows that pull from across the band’s history, including progressive epics, radio staples, deep cuts and Neil Peart tribute moments. The current touring lineup centers on Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, with Anika Nilles on drums and Loren Gold as the keyboardist.

Rush “Fifty Something Tour” upcoming dates

Rush’s official tour schedule includes North American dates through December 2026, followed by international dates in 2027. Several cities have multiple nights, giving fans in major markets more than one chance to compare prices and seat locations.

Here are the upcoming North American dates currently listed for the “Fifty Something Tour:"

*The Fort Worth dates on July 11 and July 13 are rescheduled shows. If you held tickets for a postponed Dickies Arena date, confirm the new date and ticket validity in your original ticket account before heading to the venue.

Rush “Fifty Something Tour” FAQs

Rush’s comeback has created a lot of questions for longtime fans and first-time concertgoers alike. Here is what to know about the “Fifty Something Tour” setlist, show length, opener status, encore, arrival timing, what to bring and how to get Rush tickets.

Who is opening for Rush on the “Fifty Something Tour”?

Rush does not appear to have a standard opening act on the “Fifty Something Tour.” The show is structured around Rush’s own multi-hour performance, including two main sets and an encore.

Because there may not be an opener giving fans extra time, plan to be in your seat before the listed show time. Most upcoming dates are listed for 7:30 p.m. local time, but fans should always check their specific event listing and venue page before heading out.

What time does Rush go on stage?

Most “Fifty Something Tour” dates are listed with a 7:30 p.m. local start time. Across early tour dates, Rush has generally taken the stage shortly after the listed start time, though exact timing has varied by show.

That does not guarantee the same start time for every city. Exact timing can vary by venue, curfew, production needs and any date-specific delays. The safest plan is to be inside the arena and in your seat before 7:30 p.m.

How long is a Rush concert?

Rush’s “Fifty Something Tour” is a long, full-scale arena show. Early tour dates have generally run about three hours, with two main sets, an intermission and an encore. Setlist.fm lists several early shows starting around 7:45 p.m. and ending around 10:50 p.m., though exact timing can vary by city.

Fans should plan for a full evening. Between entering the venue, buying merch, watching two sets, staying for the encore and exiting after the show, the full Rush concert experience can easily take 4 to 5 hours from arrival to departure.

What is the setlist for Rush's “Fifty Something Tour?"

The “Fifty Something Tour” setlist is now more than speculation. Rush has already played multiple shows on the tour, including nights in Los Angeles and Mexico City, and the band has been rotating parts of the set from night to night.

That means fans should not expect one fixed setlist for every city. Instead, early shows point to a few likely anchors, a rotating mix of deep cuts and a two-set structure built around Rush’s catalog and Neil Peart tribute moments.

Based on early “Fifty Something Tour” setlists, Rush fans may hear songs such as:

• “Xanadu”

• “Limelight”

• “Far Cry”

• “Subdivisions”

• “Freewill”

• “Bravado”

• “Caravan”

• “La Villa Strangiato”

• “Vital Signs”

• “The Spirit of Radio”

• “2112 Part I: Overture”

• “2112 Part II: The Temples of Syrinx”

• “2112 Part VII: Grand Finale”

• “Distant Early Warning”

• “Red Barchetta”

• “Dreamline”

• “Natural Science”

• “Time Stand Still”

• “Red Sector A”

• “YYZ”

• “The Garden”

• “Tom Sawyer”

• “By-Tor & The Snow Dog”

• “Working Man”

• “The Pass”

• “The Camera Eye”

• “The Trees”

• “The Anarchist”

• “New World Man”

• “A Farewell to Kings”

• “Finding My Way”

The exact Rush setlist may change by city. Fans attending later shows should treat this as a guide based on early tour performances, not a guarantee for every date.

Does Rush play “Tom Sawyer” on the “Fifty Something Tour?”

Yes, “Tom Sawyer” has appeared in early “Fifty Something Tour” setlists. At the opening Kia Forum show, it arrived near the end of the second set after a “South Park” intro, making it one of the biggest late-show moments of the night.

That placement makes sense for a Rush concert. “Tom Sawyer” remains one of the band’s most recognizable songs, and fans should expect it to be one of the night’s loudest singalong moments if it appears at their date.

Does Rush play older hits and deep cuts?

Yes. The “Fifty Something Tour” is built for both casual fans and die-hards. Early setlists have included signature Rush songs like “Limelight,” “Subdivisions,” “The Spirit of Radio,” “YYZ,” “Tom Sawyer” and “Working Man,” along with deeper or less frequently played songs like “Xanadu,” “Bravado,” “Natural Science,” “Red Sector A,” “The Garden” and “By-Tor & The Snow Dog.”

That balance is the whole point of the tour. This is not a short greatest-hits set. It is a full-catalog Rush show that gives major songs their moment while also rewarding fans who know the album cuts.

Does Rush perform any covers, collaborations or surprise songs?

Rush is not known for building its shows around covers or rotating guest-heavy surprise sections. The “Fifty Something Tour” has instead focused on Rush’s own catalog, including two-set performances, instrumental showcases and tribute moments for Neil Peart.

One notable opening-night moment was “Time Stand Still,” which featured Aimee Mann, who also appeared on the original studio version of the song. Fans should not assume special guests will appear at every show, but multi-night runs and major markets can always bring small setlist surprises.

Is there an encore at Rush’s “Fifty Something Tour” concert?

Yes. The opening-night “Fifty Something Tour” setlist included an encore after the main two-set show. At Kia Forum, Rush returned with “By-Tor & The Snow Dog” and “Working Man,” followed by a Neil Peart tribute.

Fans should not leave after “Tom Sawyer” unless they are comfortable missing the encore. Rush’s closing stretch is a major part of the show and may include some of the most meaningful moments of the night.

What is the “Fifty Something Tour” production like?

Rush has a long history of technically ambitious live productions, and the “Fifty Something Tour” continues that tradition. Early shows have featured two full sets, video interludes, Neil Peart tribute collages, large-scale lighting, instrumental showcases and the band’s signature mix of precision and spectacle.

The production is also shaped by the emotional context of the tour. This is Rush’s first major tour since Peart’s death, so the show is not just a return to the road. It is also a tribute to the band’s history and the drummer and lyricist whose work defined so much of the catalog.

When should you arrive for Rush’s concert?

Because the show is long and there may not be an opener, arrival timing matters. Give yourself enough time for parking, security, mobile ticket scanning, merch and finding your seat before the listed start time.

If you want merch, food, drinks or extra time inside the venue, arriving about 90 minutes before showtime is a smart plan. If you already know the arena and are heading straight to your seat, arriving about 60 minutes before showtime should usually give you enough cushion. Either way, try to be in your seat before the listed start time, since early shows have generally started shortly after the scheduled time.

Before leaving home, check your venue’s bag policy, mobile ticket rules and parking or rideshare guidance. Multi-night runs in cities like Chicago, New York and Toronto may create extra traffic around the venue. If you are attending one of the rescheduled Fort Worth dates, double-check that your ticket reflects the correct July show date.

What should you bring to a Rush concert?

Your mobile ticket is the most important thing to bring. Load it before you arrive at the arena, because cell service can slow down when thousands of fans are entering at the same time.

A fully charged phone, ID, credit or debit card and comfortable shoes should cover the basics for most fans. A portable charger, small venue-approved bag, earplugs and a light layer can also help, especially for a three-hour rock show inside an arena.

Leave oversized bags, outside food or drinks, professional cameras, large signs and anything prohibited by your venue at home. Policies vary by arena, so checking your specific venue before show day can save time at the door.

What should fans wear to the “Fifty Something Tour?"

Rush concert fashion leans classic rock: band tees, vintage-style gear, denim, black layers and plenty of older tour shirts. Expect to see a lot of “Moving Pictures,” “2112,” “Permanent Waves” and R40-era merch in the crowd.

Comfort matters more than anything. You may be walking from parking or rideshare, standing in merch lines and spending more than three hours inside the arena. Wear shoes you can handle all night and bring layers if your show is in a colder city or late-season market.

Is Rush’s “Fifty Something Tour” good for younger fans?

Rush’s “Fifty Something Tour” can be a great first major rock show for younger fans, especially if they already know the music or are attending with longtime Rush fans. The show is long, loud and musically intense, so a little planning helps.

Parents and younger fans should be ready for a concert that may run about three hours, with the full night stretching later once exiting the venue is factored in. Earplugs are a smart idea, and assigned seats may be easier than floor seats for younger or first-time concertgoers. Venue rules for minors can vary, so check your specific arena policy before buying or heading to the show.

For fans who love musicianship, classic rock and big live production, this tour is a rare chance to hear Rush’s catalog in an arena setting again.

Tips for buying Rush tour tickets

Demand for Rush tickets is high because this is the band’s first major tour in more than a decade, but fans still have ways to shop strategically. The biggest advantage is flexibility. Several cities have multiple nights, which means prices can vary from one show to the next even within the same arena.

Start by comparing every date in your preferred city before picking a section. A Thursday or weeknight show may have a different price picture than a weekend date, and the “best” deal may shift depending on how many tickets you need. If you are buying for a group, check both your full ticket quantity and smaller quantities, since four seats together can sometimes price differently than two seats together in a similar area.

Pay close attention to the venue layout. Rush’s show is built around musicianship, production and a long two-set performance, so you do not necessarily need to be on the floor to have a great experience. Lower-bowl side sections can offer a strong balance of sound, view and proximity, while club or lower-level corners may be better values than the most expensive seats near the stage. For fans who want to take in the full lighting and video production, a slightly elevated seat can be more useful than being extremely close.

Because the setlist can rotate, multi-night cities are especially interesting for die-hard fans. If you are considering more than one show, compare prices across the full run instead of assuming the first night or weekend night is automatically the best choice. A later date in the same city may offer better value, especially if more inventory becomes available.

On SeatGeek, use the interactive seat map to compare sections, rows and prices side by side. Deal Score can help identify listings that offer strong value for the seat location, while filters can narrow your search by price, ticket quantity, section or other preferences. Before checkout, review the date, venue, seat details and delivery notes carefully, especially for any rescheduled shows.

How to get Rush tour tickets on SeatGeek

SeatGeek makes it easy to find Rush “Fifty Something Tour” tickets, compare seats and buy with confidence. Here’s how:

1. Go to SeatGeek's website or open the SeatGeek app and search for “Rush.”

2. Select the “Fifty Something Tour” date and city you want to attend.

3. Use the interactive seat map to compare sections, rows and prices.

4. Check Deal Score to identify Rush tickets that offer strong value for the seat location.

5. Use filters to sort by price, ticket quantity, section or other preferences.

6. Review the full ticket details before checkout, including any rescheduled date notes.

7. Buy your tickets and follow the delivery instructions in your SeatGeek account.

8. Before the show, make sure your mobile tickets are ready and your phone is fully charged.

Rush’s “Fifty Something Tour” is not just a return to the road. It is a rare second chance to hear songs many fans thought they would never experience live again, performed with the scale, precision and emotional weight Rush has always demanded. Get there early, settle in for the full ride and stay through the final note — because this is the kind of night that will mean something different to every fan in the room.