Rush

"Who are Rush?" you may ask as I did when a friend suggest that we go see them on their tour for new album 'Snakes And Arrows'. Checking out some live videos on the web, I am glad I decided to go as they are some of the most talented musicians in the world. They would be a hard act to open for; so it’s a good job that no on one is supporting them.

Looking at the stage before the 7.45pm start, I am bemused to see many odd things. I heard they have a fantasy thing going on, but what can explain the rows of plastic dinosaur toys around the guitar amps, of the twenty Barbie dolls stood with their hands in the air like miniature groupies at the foot of a microphone stand. And don’t get me started on the fake oven with spit roast chickens...



Intrigued I am, though the opening film shown on the huge screens is a little cheesy, showing the band members in a caravan having strange dreams held in picture frames. Who says you need drugs to have these sort of visions?!

As always there is no need for an extra band member to recreate the Rush sound live, as the three Canadians; bassist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart, take in upon themselves to use whatever arm or leg they have spare at the time to press some sampler pedal to produce the sounds that appear on the album versions of their songs. This gives a huge and full sound for just three blokes, and if you didn’t know you could be looking for people hidden in corners playing along or listening for the start and stop of a backing tape.

The videos that accompany the songs around the shots of the threesome are quite clever; you have to be careful you don’t get sucked in to watching them instead of the band. My favourite is the 3D animated dragon, which breathes fire towards the band, and suddenly a firework goes off on stage where the fire was aimed at.



The set is split into two, meaning that we get a half hour break (or you could look at it as if Rush are supporting Rush). The total gig time is close to three hours; not bad for a band that started in 1968. In the second set we are treated to what pushed me to come; Peart’s epic drum solo. Now I’m not saying I have never seen a drum kit that size, I have seen one that spanned half a stage (Rush fans - Dream Theatre at Download Festival), but it must have been for show as Peart utilises everything in front (and behind) of him. For ten minutes or so he plays tunes, samples, and just bashes the living crap out of this impressive looking drum kit, and does not appear tired at all. It puts younger drummers to shame. Forget Phil Collins and Animal Muppet, this is amazing.

Along with green lasers hitting strategically placed mirrors and projecting green light around the stadium, and a guy dressed as a chef coming and pasting the chickens every now and again, this show is a must to see, even if you don’t like the music. Lifeson plays his 12 string acoustic on a stand whilst holding an electric guitar, and Lee multi tasks like nothing I have seen, at times playing the bass, keyboard, synth pedals and all the while producing those high pitched vocals of his.


I am glad I went to see Rush, and next time someone comments "who are they?" I can say they are among the best musicians in the world. And the addition of the South Park lads on screen trying to play ‘Tom Sawyer’ is very funny.

Set 1
Intro Film
Limelight
Digital Man
Entre Nous
Mission
Free Will
Monkey Business
Bob And Doug Intro Film
Larger Bowl
Secret Touch
Circumstances
Between The Wheels
Dreamline

Set 2
Far Cry
Workin’ Them Angels
Armor And Sword
Spindrift
Wind Blows
Subdivisions
Natural Science
Witch Hunt
Malnar (with Peart’s Drum Solo)
Hope
Dew
Spirit Of Radio
South Park Intro Film
Tom Sawyer

One Little Victory
A Passage To Bangkok
YYZ

FUTURE GIGS

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