Hi everyone,

Summing up this show is actually very difficult, as I have VERY mixed feelings about it. First of all, I thought the playing was EXCEPTIONAL. The tour last year in the US must have helped, as they seemed to be tighter than ever. I’m also glad that Neil is playing at normal speed now, as on the Snakes and Arrows DVD, you can tell the song tempos were ever so slightly slower.

Here comes my slight gripe with the show unfortunately, the setlist. For me who loves the era of the late 70s and early 80s this show was so far off the mark from my “dream” setlist. I don’t mind the other eras, but the 90s stuff they were playing to me sounded very much to me like the same song. This isn’t to say I don’t like the 90s stuff, far from it, I have a number of favourites such as Dreamline, Bravado, Show Don’t Tell, Test for Echo etc. I just felt that perhaps they should have played the more well known songs rather than the album tracks. I think the crowd felt similar too, as there was a big roar when Freewill came on.

The second half was better, but again, because of the entire Moving Pictures album, it didn’t leave a lot of room for other early stuff. I’m a BIG fan of the Hemispheres album, so I think one of the biggest highlights for me was hearing “La Villa Strangiato” live. I never tire of hearing that song, only Rush could make a 10 minute instrumental enjoyable the whole way through!!! Other favourites included 2112 (never get tired of that!!), and I got to say side 2 of Moving Pictures sounds better live (The Camera Eye – Vital Signs). I’ve been overly impressed with those songs, but they definitely had more life to them.

I can’t believe that there was no Xanadu again!!!! Last night was my third time seeing the guys (R30 & Snakes and Arrows the previous times), and they didn’t play it on those tours either!!!! Seems I’m never destined to hear that song live!!! Oh well, maybe next time??

The video intros were really funny, especially the first one of the evening with Alex in the fat suit!!!! It was really funny Rush at their best, I always look forward to their video intros. That’s why I love them so much, they can take the p out of each other, not a lot of bands do that.

So to sum up then, it was an amazing night, but if the setlist had been different in the first half, then it would have been an absolutely brilliant night.

This review is purely my thoughts, please don’t belittle them, we’re all entitled to our “Freewill”, but of course “everyone can make a choice”!!

Thanks
Dave

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Fantastic show. Musicianship was second to none, stage set was impressive, and I actually thought Geddy Lee’s voice was in fine shape. As to the set list – it was a great mix of old and new. Given they have almost 40 years worth of material…some favourites have to get left out…even when playing for 3 hours. If I have a slight complaint it would be the sound..the mix was OK, but as someone else pointed out it wasnt an ‘all round’ audio experience. Having said that I never think the NEC is good for sound and I was in the rafters which never helps.

First time I have seen them in 25 years…they have improved with age.

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Why did you miserable blighters bother?
I wish I had been at the Birmingham gig, but my coffers only ran to Sheffield and Newcastle gigs (& I’ve seen a few NEC Rush gigs in my time), but I could’ve taken a seat from one of you killjoys!
Did you notice anyone else there? I imagine they were enjoying themselves and ignoring you cheery few!

The gigs in Sheffield and Newcastle were both stupendous! I’ve been watching Rush gigs since the Tour of the Hemispheres hit Birmingham Odeon (May 10th 1979!), and yes it’s different to the old days…. my own favourite ever Rush gig was Bingley Hall at Stafford Fri 21st September 1979, bejeasus the crowd was heaving that night! Enduring the front row crush is an experience denied us at Rush concerts unfortunately these days, but the modern concerts are no less awesome…..just different!

So Geddy’s voice has changed….big deal, he was never Freddie Mercury in the first place, but he still reproduces those songs on stage night after night…..I’m envious! and while he’s at it, he’s the best bassist in miles, plays some keyboards, holds everything together with foot pedals, and has time to connect with the crowd…. what’s not to love!
Neil remains the drummer’s drummer, because he’s the best… ask the Foo Fighters!
Personally I think Alex Lifeson is the real hero of Rush, Jimmy Page is a guitar god, on the back of a handful of albums recorded over 11years….Alex has made twice as many, played loads more gigs, and still cuts the mustard every night. The way that man soloed during Working Man at Sheffield…..unbelievable! (Don’t get me wrong Jimmy is a guitar god….so’s Alex!)

For a warts and all review I’ll admit that the drum solo is highly technical but less entertaining than usual, and the set pace does drop in a couple of places…. but you’ll not hear me complaining. These guys are almost pensioners…. and they rock harder, and longer than anyone else. If they want to fix the set-list so it’s the same every night then I too am disappointed…but to give such a high-level polished performance every night requires compromises, everyone knows their job in that Rush team….and the outcome is fantastic!

At Sheffield and at Newcastle Rush delivered magnificent shows, I don’t believe Birmingham was any different, such is their inherent professionalism, those people around you enjoying it….they know I’m right!

Here’s hoping that the old boys can get the Clockwork Angels tour over here a bit quicker than this time!

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I’ve photographed in excess of 300 concerts by a variety of bands, and I’ve attended several thousand other gigs over the years. I’ve seen good shows, great shows and more than a few bad shows. I’ve never seen a bad show by Rush. Last night’s show was no exception. This was about my 20th Rush show (and the second of this tour), and it stands up there among the best, in my opinion.

Obviously I may be biased here, as I have been unashamedly a huge fan of Rush for well over 30 years. And this was my first time photographing them from the photo pit. And I enjoyed the rest of the show from a prime spot five rows back and centre stage.

However, for me the show had an almost perfect setlist. A mix of old favourites and brand new stuff, and a few that they rarely get a chance to play live. The omission of songs like Xanadu is Ok with me. I’ve heard that enough times live, and some of the longer progressive songs start to become stale if played too often.

Highlight for me was Alex’s playing. He took centre stage for large periods and his guitar work was sublime. Geddy’s vocals did sound a little rough at times, particularly in the higher registers, but he has been suffering with a bug. It didn’t detract much from a great overall performance. Neil is the only drummer I’d happily stand and watch for ten minutes rattling through three separate drum solos in one. I did notice a couple of very minor technical hitches during the set, both in the gadgetry and the music, resulting in amused glances between Alex and Neil, but that is what a live show is all about.

The entertainment value of the sketches, the in-song videos and the lighting (which seemed to be different for every single song) shouldn’t be understated. Rush are a band that set out to entertain the audience on as many levels as possible, and they do so with a beaming smile on their faces. Few bands have to work so hard on stage, due to the complexity of the music, the frequent time changes, and the pedal activated sequences and guitar setups, but at no time did any of them look like they weren’t thoroughly enjoying themselves, and that means something to me as a member of the audience. I’d much rather watch a band of supremely talented musicians achieving almost perfection while having fun on stage (as Rush were last night) than the bunch of angst ridden self important musos looking miserable on stage that often passes for a rock gig.

I must admit I thought the crowd in Manchester was better – more vocal and more actively dancing and air drumming in the aisles. But I for one, along with everybody I spoke to or overheard on the way out, left the show feeling we’d more than got our money’s worth.

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Second time seeing Rush in Concert and was as happy this time round as was the first. Geddy looked as if he was 19 years old and could rock for another 30 years and Lifeson proved again that he can fill the guitar needs for both the lead and rhythm for any serious rocker. Never been a Peart fan but enjoyed his solo (had a sit) The only drawback was the use of loud reports twice during the show in which my heart jumped out of my chest and my eardrums nearly exploded..other than that it was a MOST enjoyable evening…I’d do it again TOMORROW!

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Fantastic concert, great sound, great talent, great effects. Not a Rush fan at all, went as somebody’s guest but absolutely loved it. Would love to see them again! A man a few rows in front of us air drummed right through, as mentioned in the review… he was very impressive, knew every beat! There was a really warm atmosphere in the arena, these guys have some great fans who truly adore them. Lovely stuff.

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I have been a fan of the band since I first heard Exit…Stage Left many moons ago, from that day I was hooked. Never been keen on the mid 90′s period, but that said there have been a number of tracks from the era I like.

I was at Birmingham last night and the first thing that hit me was how small the stage looked compared to years gone by, the lack of large side screens to give a wider effect on the eye and how off Geddy Lees voice was especially on Time Stand Still.

He seemed to be fiddling with his monitors during the show so I wondered if he had a problem with what he was hearing, that said I did not really care after all this was Rush, otherwise why would I part with £60 for a ticket, hotel bill, and travel halfway across the country!

I am certainly liking the new stuff, Far Cry, Workin’ Them Angels, and now BU2B and Caravan seemed to hark back to the good old days, a time I personally prefer.

If I am honest I could have done without, Presto, Stick It Out, Leave That Thing Alone and Faithless, would have been superb with a bit of Roll The Bones, Xanadu, By Tor, New World Man……..

As a bit of a traditionalist I can understand why the boys rework certain tracks to provide a different sound, Closer to the heart worked but please NOT Working Man totally biased as my fave track!

All said and done I enjoyed the night but not quite as much as previously.

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It was a cracking gig. My 10th rush gig I think? The set-list was great. How a band having been around for 40 odd years is supposed to pick a set-list that pleases everyone is beyond me. This tour was all about Moving Pictures in all its finery so that’s 40 mins, videos say roughly 22 mins, interval was 20 mins so that leaves 90 minutes to play with. Not a great deal of time for 40 odd years worth of material so can’t please everyone.

The sound definitely improved in the 2nd set. I was block D second row and Alex was massively loud to the point that it did drown out Geds intricate bass work but then again, speaking as a bassist, the Fenders he uses are tonally great for recording and have soul but their live sound leaves a lot to be desired. They aren’t the most technologically advanced basses around but they are easy play and comfortable. I play Warwick basses (the more expensive ones) and they are just plain volumous over the entire 34″ scale. If anything, you have to calm them down and playing a 5-string through-neck thumb bass that weighs a lot and suffers what’s called neck-dive for two hours or more is wearing. Perhaps little wonder Geddy likes Fenders with their light bodies. Alex’s over-loud sound, espeically the first 5 tracks also drowned out neil’s intricate work on hi-hat and ride cymbals. Still, the sound came good in the end. As for Geds voice, I thought he did amazingly well. I really felt for the guy when singing “Freewill” and was wishing the guy on to the highs and was well pleased he came through well. As for not having three screens, well, we have been perhaps a bit spoilt with these over the last two tours but frankly I’m there for the music. Lasers? Oh come on! You’ll be wanting Geds mullet and Alex’s linen jacket next. LED’s? Oh jeez.. Who cares about LED’s? Perhaps they are more eco-friendly I don’t know? Yes, Alex did drop a couple of “bowl-locks” but who doesn’t? I thought he played brilliantly and has really added some great touches of re-working. Neil played real well even if he did mess a couple of movements shall we say, most notably on “Time stand still.” Who cares though? I didn’t. It just brought a small smile to my face that even that guy has a mare! Although, you know Neil wont do the same during the next gig.

Anyhow, altogther, I thoroughly enjoyed the gig and can’t wait for the next one. The only positive from people complaining is that hopefully I might stand a better chance of getting my favourite seat roughly 15 rows back in block C. I was in block D this time and as I’m getting older, my eyesight is failing me and I don’t like wearing glasses at gigs.

Rock and roll! Rob.

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Reading the review its clear that Rush still, (through no fault of their own by the way) manage to polarise the opinions of their fans on every tour. I think that the only possible way that they could perform a perfect set is if they performed for six hours!!!
I absolutely loved the show. This was the sixth time I have seen them at the NEC and the sound quality was by far the best I have ever experienced for Rush, or for any other band for that matter, at that venue.
The musicianship was as good as it has ever been, and Alex Lifesons guitar sound was richer and fuller than it has been for many years.
Enjoy Rush while you can as they are not getting any younger. I fear that the next tour might be their last.

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Just a few thoughts on some of this, Geddy was probably a bit rough because he blew the roof off at Newcastle the night before with an absolute stellar vocal performance, Alex was a total Guitar Hero at the Toon and the audience were bouncing along with the band,it was a cracking night at Newcastle and maybe they should have had a day off between the gigs to recharge or perhaps the Brummies need to learn how to bounce.

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A game of two halves. First six tracks UTTERLY ruined by a horrible standing wave effect that meant that those in the upper seats (above row T) could hearing nothing but the kick drum. Like being in the boot of a chav’s Corsa with a 1000W subwoofer and nothing else.

Once we moved seats (and the sound guys lifted the rig and fixed the drum mics), the show was truly superb.

Yes, Geddy has lost the top 1/3 of his singing range. Yes, they are near 60. Who cares. Neal “who ate all the pies” Peart is a drumming god. Alex has found new life (double meaning intended) and has developed a whole range of new skills. Geddy is in the top three bassists in the world (pacé Claypool, King, et al) and has learned new slap techniques that lift the music.

And they have one the best album catalogs in history to play from. Wonderful night.

Sad that the horrible acoustics, lousy catering, dreadful parking (28 minute walk away!!) and dreary atmosphere of the LG Arena let them down so badly.

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