{"id":197114,"date":"2025-10-08T08:48:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T08:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/197114\/"},"modified":"2025-10-08T08:48:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T08:48:08","slug":"anika-nilles-shows-why-rush-have-chosen-her-as-their-new-drummer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/197114\/","title":{"rendered":"Anika Nilles shows why Rush have chosen her as their new drummer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following the news of Rush’s return to the stage<\/a> this week, fans scurried to the internet to find out more about new drummer Anika Nilles, the German musician tasked with filling the late Neil Peart<\/a>‘s place behind the Rush<\/a> kit.<\/p>\n

Now Tama Drums, the Japanese percussion company that provides Nilles’ equipment, have uploaded a new video showing her playing through FouFou, one of the tracks from her third solo album, False Truth, which was released last month.<\/p>\n

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Reaction to the video is almost universally giddy, with fans praising Nilles’ technique, speed and fluidity around the kit, especially as the song gains momentum towards its climax.<\/p>\n

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“I absolutely cannot follow or understand what’s happening here,” says one commenter. <\/a>“But it sounds and feels right and somehow complete.”<\/p>\n

“The more I see of this drummer, the more I see why Geddy and Alex picked her,” says another. “Wonderful. All about the drumming. So good.”<\/p>\n

“Wow!” adds a third. “Extraordinary!”<\/p>\n

Anika Nilles – FouFou – Star Maple – YouTube
\n\"Anika<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

Nilles, whose social media following has exploded since the announcement, has made only one public comment about her appointment so far.<\/p>\n

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“It’s truly an honour!” she wrote on an Instagram story. “Big shoes to fill! Thank you, Geddy and Alex for trusting me and welcoming me on this incredible journey with you!”<\/p>\n

Other musicians to have congratulated Nilles on the news include Dream Theater<\/a> drummer Mike Portnoy<\/a>, who many fans suggested would be a perfect candidate for the Rush job.<\/p>\n

“Incredible! I am so happy for Geddy and Alex! And so excited for all of us Rush fanatics around the world!” posted Portnoy. “Congrats to Anika Nilles, <\/a>who I\u2019m sure will be amazing. She\u2019s awesome! This will be a beautiful way to pay tribute to Neil and to honour his and the band’s legacy! I can\u2019t wait to see this.”<\/p>\n

Fans can participate in the Rush ticket presale if they sign up at Ticketmaster<\/a> by Thursday, October 9 at 11:59pm ET. Full dates below.<\/p>\n

Rush: Fifty Something 2026 tour dates<\/p>\n

Jun 07: Los Angeles Kia Forum, CA
Jun 09: Los Angeles Kia Forum, CA
Jun 18: Mexico City Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico
Jun 24: Fort Worth Dickies Arena TX
Jun 26: Fort Worth Dickies Arena, TX
Jul 16: Chicago United Center, IL
Jul 18: Chicago United Center, IL
Jul 28: New York Madison Square Garden, NY
Jul 30: New York Madison Square Garden, NY
Aug 07: Toronto Scotiabank Arena, ON
Aug 09: Toronto Scotiabank Arena, ON
Sep 17: Cleveland Rocket Arena, OH<\/p>\n