RUSH Tickets

On the way down from Chattanooga, TN, I was worried that the show might be postponed because of lightning. However, we arrived early enough to where parking was a breeze and they had covered shuttles that took us right to the western gate. A short wait later and we were inside. We hung out at the Verizon building as we played games (and won some Rush swag) while our phones were charged. Then we took our seats. The show? OMG! I don't know if I could convey how great they sounded this night. I'd heard that Geddy sounded great this tour so far and he certainly didn't disappoint this night. The band played their hearts out. This is my 16th Rush show (since '83) and this was by far the best one yet. The set list was perfect and was perfect for this 40th anniversary show. The lighting and stage design complimented them in the best possible way. Geddy continues to impress me with how busy he is on stage and his bass playing never ceases to amaze. Alex... his fingers were flying all over the various guitars he played that night. And Neil... what else can be said about him? Awesome show. Awesome band.

This was a great concert, but it was so loud that the sound was distorted and you could not hear the music with clarity. That's a problem because the whole point of a concert is to hear the music--every note, inflection, and nuance. I like a nice warm loud sound, but not to the point of piling the instruments on top of each other. Turn it down a notch. Rush's musicianship and performance was first-rate with but one exception. In no way did they mail it in. Nearly three hours of music and they worked hard, played hard, and delivered. Geddy Lee's voice, however, is shot, although the loudness covered up that fact to a good extent. They need a new singer and that's okay; that happens in one's sixties. The quality of their show and music is another reason to stop the arbitrary custom of automatically suggesting retirement/farewell tour just because someone is approaching 65. These guys are at the top of their game (Mr. Lee's voice excepted) and should be encouraged to make an album every 2 years and tour in alternate years. Go see Rush! And pay out the wazoo for first-rate tickets.

I have been waiting many years to see Rush - and have missed a couple of opportunities. Well, it was worth the wait. I don't care how many years they have been together or how "old" they are. They epitomize the word "musician." They just get better and better. Awesome, awesome, awesome.

Coming into the event we had seats in the 300 section to watch the event but to our astonishment as we walked up to the escalator to ride to the top, we were approached by an Amalie Arena associate who asked us how many people were in our group (which was three). He then proceeded to grant us a seat upgrade right there in the corridor. Our seats were now 116 row E, yeah only a few feet from ice level. Wooooo! What a surprise. Thanks to the people at Amalie for the upgrade. In regards to Rush and the R40 tour, WOW, it was amazing. The guys did an awesome job at cranking out the tunes to a packed arena with people of all ages. My sister, the misses and myself came to celebrate an early birthday for my sister and she absolutely loved it. As a partial TBL season ticket holder, I recommend visiting the Amalie Arena for any event. Come early though because traffic can be nuts on event days.

Rush were at a peak level of performance for this show. Geddy's voice was the best that I have heard it in years. Alex was fantastic as usual, and what can one say about Neil on the drums that hasn't been said before! The idea behind the stage show was beyond intelligent. If you have never seen them, I would make it to this show.

The concert was great!! Geddy Lee was awesome! Sure he can't hit all the high notes like he used to but he can still belt it out. Alex and Neil were spectacular as always and the light show was phenomenal. The setlist was good. I wish they would have played more classic popular tunes since this is their last "big" tour for awhile. I've seen them a few times before and heard them play the popular tunes but it's always great to hear them performed live again. I will see them again if and when they tour.

Great show overall. Bumpy first set, playing their most recent work going backwards through the albums. Second set started off with moving pictures working back to the first album. Loved how the stage gear changed along with the songs. My favorite part was Hemispheres along with a number of songs that I haven't heard in decades.

Prog rock defined. I've seen Rush many times and this was the best set list of them all. The boys were in prime form and if it is their last hurrah, they are going out in a blaze of glory. Unforgettable show!

Plain and simple, will be one of the BEST concerts you will ever go to!

If this is the last time they tour, at least they're going out on top!

My 22nd time seeing them in concert. My first was the Grace Under Pressure tour. They put on a masterful show as always. I loved the stage changes. A very nice touch. Great to hear Xanadu and some of the other classics live again.

Rush is always great live but that second set was the best set of Rush I have ever seen. One great tune after the other. They are way too good to consider hanging it up. Rare to see a band 40 years in at the peak of their playing prowess. Consistently the best live band I have ever witnessed.

Only reviewing the 2nd set, I was watching hockey in the lobby during the 1st set of new songs. 2nd set was an amazing reverse chronological offering of a couple of songs from each record starting with Moving Pictures. Alex was in fine form. Song selection was fantastic, even added YYZ and Natural Science from the 1st shows of the tour.

Fantastic show.......great band....lots of music to cover but they did it justice............

They played songs I forgot I knew! ;) absolutely amazing!!

Band was great and Geddy's voice still strong this early in the tour. Our only complaint was that we already saw the last tour for their last album and were disappointed we had to sit through almost all of the same sub-par songs again for most of the first set. What we wanted and expected from R40 was a greatest hits show spanning their entire career. I mean wouldn't every fan prefer to hear "Freewill" over "The Wreckers"?

This was the greatest show of all time - amazing set list - sound was incredible band on fire

We've seen Rush many times over the years and they are always great in concert. Loved the show!

The boys nailed it, even after 40 years. Hard-hitting serious rock with a touch of playfulness and zero pretense. The way it should be, The venue was world-class.

I have never seen Rush perform live until the other night at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, so I really had no expectations that needed to be met. Let me just say I was blown away with the forethought and planning that went into this show. Not only did the band perform flawlessly, not only that the sound was crystal clear and not overpowering, not only the fantastic light show that accompanied the music, but the video segments they used, helped tie the entire performance together. The progression of songs from their most recent work to their earliest recordings really summed up the entire expanse of their music. One of the more interesting things I noticed about the stage set up, was that, as they "went back in time", stage hands were swapping out prop amps and speakers, that they had used over the years, starting with the equipment they currently use, and finishing up with some really old amps propped up on old wooden chairs, representing the gear they used in their youth. This is, in my opinion, the most well thought out performance of ANY show I've seen over the years (and I've been to hundreds of shows). This is also the very first show I've attended where the entire drum kit was changed out at intermission, again, going back in time, to one of Neil's earlier kits. Alex played a variety of guitars, including a Paul Reed Smith, and many, many Gibson Les Paul's, of which, the Les Paul Goldtop, was my absolute favorite. Do not hesitate to spend the money to see these guys, you will not be disappointed.