Rush’s Geddy Lee discussed the difficult process of rehearsing classic Rush material with new drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold. He noted that they had not performed these songs in at least a decade, and he admitted to the mistakes they made during rehearsals.
Geddy Lee said: “We made as many mistakes as [Anika] made, so that made her happy every time we rehearsed. [Laughs] And we all have these expressions now when we were making a mistake in the studio or whatever, we just look at each other, like, shock, made a mistake.”
“One of the things I said to her and Loren before the tour started, I said, ‘Look, these are complicated songs. You are going to make a mistake.’ I said, ‘It’s not about the mistake. It’s about how you recover from the mistake. So just play. Just keep playing and don’t worry. There might be a bump in the road, but we’ll just work around it and carry on.’ And I think it helped them relax a little bit, because it’s kind of scary arrangements.”
“They’re very complicated, and if you didn’t write them, you have to learn them, and it’s very different. When you write a part, it’s automatically in your DNA. You understand it inside out. But when you’re coming to it to learn it as an outsider, you try to break it down into the laws of music, and our songs don’t adhere to the laws of music strictly. So it can be very intimidating and challenging.”
“And so I think [Anika] appreciated face to face of being able to work out those parts. I remember when we talked about learning ‘A Farewell To Kings’, and it was that daunting middle section that’s… And she’s very mathematical, so she’s breaking it down into time signatures and I’m going, ‘Well, I just play the riff over and over again until it’s over.'”
“So I said, ‘Don’t worry about it. Figure it out, 6/8, 7/8, whatever you think, a bar of four here. You figure it out. When you get together with Alex and I, we’ll bash it around and it will feel second nature to you.’ And that’s how it comes together. And so I think that helped her relax a little bit to know that her two crazy uncles are out there, and we’ve got her back. ‘We’ve got you. Don’t worry. We’ll get you through all the tough parts.'”
This preparation has been central to Rush’s return. The band’s 2026 reunion tour marks their first live run since 2015. It also represents their first performances since drummer Neil Peart’s death in 2020.
Nilles was familiar with Rush and Neil Peart’s drumming before taking the role. However, she had never been a dedicated Rush listener growing up.
Nilles first drew notice through polished YouTube drum videos in the early 2010s. She later toured with Jeff Beck. Additionally, she has worked as an educator. She has also released multiple solo albums.
Nilles began playing drums at age six in Aschaffenburg, Germany. She grew up in a musical family with several drummers. This background helps explain the technical, groove-focused style that made her a fit for Rush’s demanding catalog.
Nilles was announced in October 2025 as the touring drummer for Rush’s 2026 reunion tour. Her addition brings a new chapter to one of progressive rock’s most exacting live bands.
