Rush Rocks Las Vegas!
The day is finally here! Time for the Rush concert. Anyone that knows me knows that Rush is my all time favorite band. It was great to see them last August at the MGM and when they announced a second leg of the “Snakes and Arrows” tour I just had to get tickets again! No way I was gonna miss them!
For some reason this time they played at the Mandalay Bay Events Center instead of the MGM, which was ok with me it was my first time to check out that venue. They’re pretty similar really, basically an all-purpose arena.
I had a pre-show meal at one of my favorite places, the Burger Bar, which I reviewed here. It was great as always, only made better by many Rush fans also enjoying a pre-show meal! I chatted with several people & all were eagerly anticipating the show. I had my usual & headed on over to the venue.
Ahh but what about the show you ask? (Yeah yeah I’m getting to that!) After getting inside & checking out the venue I found my seat. Seeing as I’m on the short side and the decent floor seats were gone quickly I chose a seat on the side section about half way back on Geddy’s side, almost the same seats I had at last year’s show but a little closer. I like sitting there you get to see over the crowd.
On the last few tours they’ve not had an opening act, just doing an “Evening with Rush”, which suits everyone just fine. Opening acts tend to not be received as well, plus it gives the boys more time to play!
At about 8:05 the lights went down and it’s showtime! They basically have the same show they played last year, save for a couple of changes to the setlist. Even though they’re playing a lot of songs from the latest album they are including some decent older stuff and some songs not played in quite a few years.
They played for about an hour and 10 minutes then took a 20 minute break, being that they’re “about a hundred years old” LOL
They kicked off the second set with 5 in a row from the new one and then got into some more older stuff. Also on the second set was the highlight of any Rush concert, the drum solo. Anyone whose not seen Neil Peart’s solo live really is missing a treat. “The Professor” lived up to his name once again. He has made his solos a lot more musical the last few tours, not quite as show off-y as in the past, which is a good thing.
All through my past days as a musician, my biggest influence was always Geddy Lee, and it’s always such an experience to see him live. You really are amazed at just how talented the man is with all the duties he has in concert. Being the lead singer, playing some of the most complicated bass lines, playing keyboards and also triggering stuff with his feet. Also his voice is in fine form still. They have to transpose a couple of the really older songs but for the most part he pulls if off.
Alex was his usual self, really enjoying the show, making faces and being the “class clown.” He’s the overlooked one of the group but not for lack of talent. He can shred with the best of them when he wants to. In some ways he helps hold things together, letting the other two be more adventurous, which is opposite from how a lot of rock bands are.
The show was about 85-90% sold out, pretty good considering they had played here only 9 months previously. A lot of people had come in from elsewhere, as is usually the case for Rush. I wish I had the opportunity to travel around and see shows in different places. Some people stayed for a few days too (c’mon you can’t just come to Vegas for 1 day!)
All in all it was a great evening. The one thing I really admire about Rush is they’re doing it for the love of music. They don’t need to do it for the money anymore. Plus you really get your money’s worth. It’s almost a three hour show, plus don’t forget they’re not kids anymore they’re all in their mid-50’s now! They have some of the most loyal fans and for 30 years now I’ve been one of the biggest.
I have heard rumors about them working on a new record next year, so hopefully we’ll get to see them again in a couple of years. And I’ll be right there cheering them on!
Here’s some cell phone pics:
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