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Rush R40 Tour Experience


Woohoo

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Wow, it's been a while since I've posted a blog. At least here I have something interesting to talk about. Anyways, onto the topic of this blog. Last weekend, I accomplished something I thought I'd never do... go to a concert. For the longest time, I've avoided going to concerts, mostly because of the loud noise and my hatred of being in crowds (mostly due to Asperger's). This year, I decided to give in and try since Rush, my favorite band of all time, announced in late January they were touring this year and were going to play in Seattle on Sunday, July 19th. What also drove to me to see Rush live is the possibility this might be their last "major" tour.


After six agonizing months of waiting and the day finally came, me, my mom, and my friend Chad drove down to the KeyArena and took our seats. Was it worth the wait?? Short answer: yes. Long answer: keep reading.
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The Show
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The show began with a short animated video showing how the band members evolved since the 1970s, which includes a scene of them walking past a sign of the city they're currently playing (see image above). When the video ended, the screen lifted up, the band emerged, opening with “The Anarchist” from their 2012 album, Clockwork Angels. Instead of a setlist that ricochets from decade to decade like their other tours, this tour starts with the most recent album, 2012's Clockwork Angels, and travels back to the band’s beginnings with their 1974 self-titled debut.

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During the first part of their set, stagehands in red jumpsuits added and removed props, subtly transforming the stage from their time machine props from the Clockwork Angels tour to Geddy Lee's washing machines and Alex Lifeson's amplifiers of their previous tours. Also during this set, Neil uses his 360o drumkit like previous tours.

Now let's talk about the songs. The trio opened the show with Clockwork Angels' "The Anarchist," which is pretty much my favorite song off that album and was an amazing way to start the show. Pretty much everyone in the arena stood and cheered. After that, they dove into "The Wreckers" and Headlong Flight," the latter song featured a short but dynamic drum solo by Neil Peart. Moving onto 2007's Snakes and Arrows, they played "Far Cry," an obvious choice, and the instrumental "The Main Monkey Business." Next, they played "How It Is" from 2002's Vapor Trails. I was hoping for "One Little Victory" but I applaud Rush for choosing a more deeper cut.

Skipping back nine years (and Test for Echo, which I think isn't as bad as most fans think) to 1993's Counterparts, Rush played another obvious choice, "Animate." During that song, I noticed a lot of the people around were air-drumming (I even air-drummed too. Rush is best air-drumming band). Moving onto to 1991's "Roll the Bones," a song that's not really liked by most Rush fans, mostly because of the rapping interlude, but I dig this song. When the rap interlude came, a video of various celebrity rappers lip-syncing to it, which I thought was pretty cool. In my opinion, Rush doing rap sounds a lot better than KISS doing disco.

More years and albums skipped, we reach the 1980s. They played another deep cut, "Between the Wheels" from Grace Under Pressure. I actually was not expecting them to play this one. It's quickly growing on me as one my favorite Rush songs. Finally, the first part of the set closes with the Signals' classic "Subdivisions," a song that is very relatable to a lot of people, including myself. When I was attending school, I've always felt like a social outcast because of having Asperger's Syndrome, mostly because I'm incredibly shy and not a very good communicator (I am a lot better now). After "Subdivisions," Geddy announces to the audience they need to take a break and will be back shortly.

After the intermission, the second part began with another video. This time, a mishmash of videos from previous tours and outtakes, ending with the South Park boys as "Lil' Rush." Eric Cartman counted them off and the band launched into the Moving Pictures staple, "Tom Sawyer." Nothing more needs to be said about that song, other than 'it fucking rocks' so... moving on. The next song was "The Camera Eye," a not-as-famous track from the same album. You’re hardcore if you love this one, and inside the arena that night, it seemed like everyone did. During the second set, the stage props have changed. Geddy and Alex are using traditional amplifiers (with the guys in red jumpsuits slowly subtracting them as they progress back in time) and Neil using a replica of his old double-bass kit, complete with tubular bells with Starman drumheads.

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Onto 1980's Permanent Waves, "The Spirit of Radio" was yet another obvious choice. Following that song was "Jacob's Ladder," a song that hasn't seen the concert stage since 1980 (at least before the R40 tour began), which was quite a treat for the hardcore fans.

Finally, we reach the 1970s with an epic medley of Hemispheres "Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres Part I: Prelude" and A Farewell to Kings "Cygnus X-1," the latter featured another drum solo by Neil. Next was "Closer to the Heart," which is my mother's favorite Rush song and pretty much the main reason why she came along. Immediately after that was my favorite Rush song, "Xanadu," which Geddy and Alex dusted off their double-necks for this number. The fun has been doubled!
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Now we come to the beast that is 1976's "2112," an epic song that was pretty much a giant middle finger to their record label. Like the previous tours, it's abbreviated (mostly because it's 20 minutes long and will take up song space). However on this tour, they played four chapters; I Overture, II Temples of Syrinx, IV Presentation, and VII Grand Finale. Usually they would just play Overture and Temples of Syrinx (and occasionally Grand Finale) but I guess they wanted this version to be a little more fulfilling.

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After a video of Eugene Levy rambling about the band, the encore begins with Caress of Steel's "Lakeside Park," followed by the Ayn Rand inspired "Anthem" from Fly By Night. It was nice that songs from these two relatively obscure albums saw the light of the concert stage again. The encore closes with "What You're Doing" and "Working Man," both from their 1974 debut. The show ends with a funny video of the band walking backstage towards their dressing room, however a puppet bars from entering due to "not being on the list," as a party is going on inside featuring the characters from their album covers. How dare he snub the band!

Complete Setlist
Set 1
1. The Anarchist
2. The Wreckers
3. Headlong Flight w/ drum solo
4. Far Cry
5. The Main Monkey Business
6. How It Is
7. Animate
8. Roll the Bones
9. Between The Wheels
10. Subdivisions
Set 2
11. Tom Sawyer
12. The Camera Eye
13. The Spirit of Radio
14. Jacob's Ladder
15. Cygnus X-1 Book II Hemispheres Part I: Prelude*
16. Cygnus X-1 w/ drum solo*
17. Closer to the Heart
18. Xanadu
19. 2112 Part I: Overture
20. 2112 Part II: Temples of Syrinx
21. 2112 Part IV: Presentation
22. 2112 Part VII: Grande Finale
Encore
23. Lakeside Park*
24. Anthem*
25. What You're Doing
26. Working Man
* indicates the song is abbreviated or part of a medley

Closing Thoughts

I shoulda done this like a million years ago. I can honestly say that I'm glad I made Rush my very first concert. The band was is top form despite Alex and Neil's recent health issues. The setlist had a great mix of classics, newer songs, and hidden gems. So overall, it was a great experience and I'm already excited for my next concert this year, AC/DC at the BC Place in Vancouver.

As for my thoughts on the "last tour" rumors? All I can say is: They'll be back... I hope...

Wow, I took a whole week to write this? I suck at writing

  • Brohoof 2

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Thank you for this very thoroughly written Blog.

 

As a big fan of Rush myself, i really appreciate this stuff and i hope that they will visit Europe one more time.

  • Brohoof 2
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Congratulations on seeing such a legendary band Woohoo I bet you had the time of your life. Also that pearl white Gibson EDS- 1275 :o!!!! 

 

I want to see AC/DC so badly this year it's just they are not playing anywhere near my state :(... I saw them back in 2009 though back when they had Malcolm. 

  • Brohoof 1
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Congratulations on seeing such a legendary band Woohoo I bet you had the time of your life. Also that pearl white Gibson EDS- 1275 :o!!!! 

 

I want to see AC/DC so badly this year it's just they are not playing anywhere near my state :(... I saw them back in 2009 though back when they had Malcolm.

I have a feeling that AC/DC might extend their tour into next year.

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