Rush’s Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have disclosed their intentions to embark on a tour in 2026, with drummer Anika Nilles stepping in to fill the void left by the late Neil Peart in 2020. Nilles is set to join the band for the 12 scheduled tour stops, which will include two performances in Toronto at Scotiabank Arena on August 7 and August 9.
Nilles, a German-born drummer, previously toured with English musician Jeff Beck in 2022. Geddy Lee commended her performance during Beck’s tour, stating his admiration for her talents. The announcement of Rush’s forthcoming tour was made at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on October 5, with Lee acknowledging that Nilles caught his attention while playing with Beck.
Apart from her live performances, Nilles is recognized for her popular YouTube channel where she showcases her drumming skills. With over 246,000 subscribers and multiple videos garnering millions of views, including her original composition “Alter Ego,” which has been viewed over four million times, Nilles has made a significant impact in the drumming community.
Before pursuing her career in music, Nilles studied social work and worked as a preschool teacher, a role she found creatively fulfilling but ultimately decided to leave in pursuit of her musical aspirations. She has released four albums to date, including her latest work, “False Truth,” along with “Pikalar” (2017), “For a Colorful Soul” (2020), and “Opuntia” (2022).
