Rush is going back on tour. After years of silence and the heartbreak of losing drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, many fans believed the band’s live days were behind them. Peart was more than just a drummer. He was the rhythmic backbone of Rush and the mind behind many of their most iconic lyrics. His death in 2020 marked the end of an era, both musically and emotionally.
Now, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson are stepping back onto the stage with a new chapter in mind. The tour, fittingly named the Fifty Something Tour, is both a celebration of their decades-long career and a tribute to their late bandmate. To fill the drum seat, they have chosen Anika Nilles. It is not a small decision. Taking over for someone as revered as Peart carries a huge weight. Nilles is not here to replace him, but to bring her own voice to a role that shaped the identity of one of rock’s most respected bands.
Quick Bio Snapshot
Anika Nilles was born in the town of Aschaffenburg, Germany, in 1983. Raised in a musical household, she picked up the drums at an early age and quickly found her footing behind the kit. Over the years, she honed her skills and eventually pursued formal training at the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg, a well-regarded music school known for producing versatile performers.
Her career began gaining serious traction online, where she built a following through dynamic drum videos and original compositions. That momentum carried over into the release of two solo albums with her band, Nevell, showcasing her as both a skilled performer and a thoughtful composer.
Beyond the stage, Anika has carved out a respected space in the drumming world as a clinician and educator. She’s taught workshops around the globe, appeared at major drum festivals, and earned a reputation not just for her technical command, but for her ability to inspire new players.
Her Style & Sound
Anika Nilles is known for a drumming style that blends tight technical control with a deep sense of groove. She often writes in odd time signatures, but makes them feel fluid and natural rather than rigid or forced. Her playing leans into complex rhythmic phrasing, ghost notes, and dynamic accents that add layers to even the simplest patterns. While rooted in funk and fusion, her sound crosses over into rock with ease, bringing both precision and flair.
Compared to Neil Peart, whose drumming was highly composed and often orchestral in scope, Nilles brings a more groove-based, improvisational energy. Peart approached each part like a crafted arrangement, often mapping out every fill with intention. Nilles, on the other hand, allows more space for rhythmic conversation. She focuses on feel without sacrificing complexity.
She isn’t trying to replicate Peart’s work beat for beat—and she shouldn’t. Her role in Rush’s upcoming tour is about reinterpretation, not imitation. That’s what makes her such an intriguing choice. She respects the structure of the songs but brings her own voice to the performance, which is exactly what this new chapter of Rush seems to call for.
What to Expect Live
Anika Nilles stepping behind the kit for Rush means fans can expect a performance that feels both familiar and newly energized. She has the technical depth to handle the band’s most demanding material—songs like “La Villa Strangiato,” “YYZ,” and “The Spirit of Radio” won’t be out of reach. But it’s likely she’ll bring a different kind of touch to them. Her strength lies in making complex grooves feel musical and fluid, so the transitions might feel more natural than clinical.
Setlist-wise, the band hasn’t revealed exact details, but clues point to a career-spanning mix. This could mean a blend of fan favorites and deeper cuts, possibly leaning into tracks that allow rhythmic reinterpretation. Nilles’ influence might lead to updated arrangements or shifts in feel—small changes that add a fresh edge without losing the essence of the originals.
Her presence could shift the band’s live energy in a meaningful way. Where Peart’s performances were famously precise and composed, Nilles brings a looser, more reactive style. That contrast might open space for Lee and Lifeson to interact more freely onstage, creating a dynamic that feels less like reenactment and more like reinvention.
Closing Thoughts
Anika Nilles is not a Neil Peart clone — and that’s exactly why her addition matters. She brings her own voice to the drum kit, shaped by a different era and different influences. While Peart’s legacy is untouchable, the goal here isn’t replication. It’s evolution.
There’s no question this move carries risk. Longtime fans may be protective of what Rush represents. But with Nilles, the band isn’t trying to rewrite their past — they’re finding a way to honor it while still moving forward. Her inclusion opens the door to something new, not instead of what came before, but because of it.