rush tour names

• Festival Report
• Album Reviews
• E.P. Reviews
• DVD Reviews
• Concert Reviews
• Festival Reviews

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get The Latest Rock & Metal News Straight To Your Inbox!

Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson Confirm RUSH Touring Plans With A New Drummer

• Owais 'Vitek' Nabi
• December 4, 2023
• 1 minute read

In a recent interview with “CBS News Sunday Morning,” the iconic progressive rock band RUSH, formed in the Toronto suburbs decades ago by guitarist Alex Lifeson, bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee, and drummer Neil Peart, explored their legendary musical journey.

With over 40 million albums sold, RUSH stands as Canada’s most revered rock band. Lifeson and Lee engaged with correspondent Jim Axelrod, discussing their unique blend of musicianship, stagecraft, and humor, as well as the profound impact of Peart’s tragic passing on the band’s dynamic.

As they pondered what the future holds without Peart, Lifeson expressed the challenge of envisioning the next chapter:

“Yeah, it’s difficult to figure out what that chapter is without him.”

When questioned about the possibility of recruiting another drummer and touring again, Lee acknowledged:

“Have we talked about it? Yeah.”

Pressed on whether it’s a definite possibility, Lee responded:

“It’s not impossible, but at this point, I can’t guarantee it.”

In contrast, Lifeson conveyed a more optimistic sentiment, emphasizing their innate drive to continue:

“It’s just not in our DNA to stop.”

Lee added a philosophical perspective, highlighting the importance of staying true to oneself:

“Do what you believe, because if you do what someone else believes, and you fail, you’ve got nothing. If you do what you believe, and you fail, you still have hope.”

Related Topics

Metal Wani's Boss aka Chief Operating Dude aka Proghead \m/

You May Also Like

Watch KING CRIMSON Legend Robert Fripp Announce He Is Joining ONLYFANS

• April 2, 2024

HULK HOGAN Reveals He Received An Invitation To Join METALLICA As Their Bassist

Sebastian Bach Confesses ‘Feeling Like A Piece Of Sh*t’ Over SKID ROW Reunion Situation

• April 1, 2024

Highly Anticipated SLAYER Reunion Shows Have Been Cancelled

Kid Rock Is Going To Start Cancel Culture Against Ticketmaster With Eddie Vedder’s Help

• March 31, 2024

K.K. Downing Says It’s ‘A Mystery’ Why JUDAS PRIEST’s Tim Owens-Era Albums Are Not Available On Streaming Services

136 comments.

This would be the greatest thing. I have been with my Husband 38 years n the first day i meet him he played Rush on his Guitar for me n it was the best.

George Hickey, a legendary drummer and specialist in prog rock.

Let Alex & Geddy do the picking on who’s replacing Neil just like the Foo Fighters did,,,let’s just respect their decision if we’re truly Rush’s Fan.

too bad the fanatics will not like it i for one have questions after alex said Rush was no more. I can only hope for the future and hope then make wonderful and beautiful music.

I would be happy with Tommy Aldridge! Who disagrees?

i BET TOMMY LEE OR PETER CRISS OR EVEN JASON BONHAM COULD HANDEL THE JOB

You evidently don’t listen to RUSH.

Mike Mangini.. the only one

I can hear them now. What are these other drums for?

Meg White will come out of retirement and handle the percusions.

Don’t call it Rush or play Rush songs start fresh or don’t do it too much ego and greed

Your outta your freakin mind

?????? No sabes nada de bateristas

I don’t think so…Need someone like Danny Carey, Mike Portnoy, or Dave Grohl. That’s just my opinion…

It’s going to be Danny Carey. He’s the who played the shows they already did late last year.

I think it’s Danny Carey. Alex has been playing with them on the tool tour.

Dave couldn’t handle it…Portnoy..yes.

Mike Portnoy seems like he’s up to the task

It will be Danny but I think Mike would be a better fit seeing the catalog of Rush he played.

I would have picked Taylor Hawkins if he was still with us! Now I think I would pick Herb from Primus!

Definitely Portnoy

LOL THOSE GUYS COULD NOT HANDLE THE JOB

Tommy Lee would need backing tracks… he’s out

What about Chad Smith Phil Ehart

With Phil’s recent health issues, he is probably not a candidate, but I’m pretty certain he has the chops. I still think Portnoy would fit beautifully.

those guys are already in bands.

These are bets you would lose. Also, it’s not 1998. You should learn to type without ALL CAPS.

Neil is rolling over in his grave…. Tommy Lee what blasphemy you speak. Tommy Lee couldn’t stay in the same hotel with Geddy and Alex let alone take Neil’s place.

Only EL Estepario could maybe hang with Neil’s drumming. That’s about it. No one else could.

Agreed. El Estepario is good enough.

Give your head a shake please. Lee can’t even play with his own band let alone take Neil’s place.

Lol, not a chance of either of those drummers sitting on that stool. They’re both respectable amd good drummers but they are not that level.

You can be serious,none of these guys could remotely cover Neil. Impossible

maybe carey or thomas lang. no peter criss, tommy lee. dave grohl joke. phil ehart i don’t think so… maybe he is retired… i think if carey already played with them it would be him. tommy lee is a garbage can drummer… not even near peart. lol…

Absolutely a huge Peart fan ………..but Mike Portnoy although also older these days, could elevate the Rush repertoire over what level Neil was playing in the later years. Just saying 😉

Dave Groul would be the only option from Foo Fightees

There is no way Dave could play this…

Danny Carey, Mike Portnoy, Stewart Copeland, Gavin Harris (is that his name? Porcupine Tree) I know there are others

Peter Criss wasn’t even the best drummer in KISS. Please leave his name out of this conversation.

Tommy Lee! Seriously? That dude doesn’t have the chops to come close playing like Neil… He be better off setting up the drums for someone who can play

Ok, this is pathetic. Lee is terrible. Criss is worse.

Carey can more than handle Rush but would not leave Tool for Rush. Kind of a step down moving to band that hasn’t made anything that good in a few decades. Rush is like Def Leppard and other 80s greats living on past. I live old Rush. New stuff is formidable but nothing without old foundation.

Grohl isn’t that good but Foo Fighters are a huge band and whywould he leave that?

Dream Theater is also bigger and Portnoy has waited 13 years to get back into the band he founded.

The OBVIOUS Answer in

MIKE MANGINI who is an upgrade tp Peart.

No way… Tommy Lee isn’t good enough

Tim Alexander from Primus would be at the top of my list

Jason Bunyan is a good drummer but not for Rush. Tommy Lee and Peter Criss are washed up clowns who aren’t even in the same league as Neil Peart…

I’ve heard a Foo Fighter – DG may be a possibility

Peter Criss? Are you freakin serious? WTF is wrong with you?

Not even close!

Not even close dude. You’re gonna have to dig deeper than that.

Those drummers don’t have the chops to play Neil’s part in like 90% of Rush’ catalogue.

Ha! Not even remotely close…

Mike Portnoy the only choice

Those 3 can’t play even close to Neil. Think before giving your opinion …

as long as they don,t call whatever they do rush,i,m fine with it cause rush died with neil.

You beat me too it. Rush, for me anyway, has to include Neil. So while I hope very much Alex and Geddy continue I”d be somewhat saddened if they used the name. I’m sure they’re ever so concerned with what I think. LOL

I think they were already Rush before they picked up Neil.

Rush died when the ‘new guy’ passed away?

There was John Rutzy before Neil and there will be someone else after Neil.

Neil Peart, he was known as the New Guy by the guys. so, it is natural that they would do this. Alex has already had produced an Album and performed in many guest appearances.

The band was formed with original drummer, John Rutzy, who is on the first album. The Professor was recruited for the band afterwards.

I’ve been a big fan of RUSh since their second album.

Because of Neil, I wanted to learn to play drums. But health issues’s (Type 1 Diabeties) stopped this hopes!

I simply enjoyed Geddy, Alex and Neil’s work!

Neil was and will always be my drummer Rock God!

R.I.P. Neil

John B. Lawson Sr.

I would love to see Danny Carey or Chad Smith sitting behind Alex and Geddy. Both of them idolized and loved Neil. It would be a great tribute to Neil if the band forged ahead in his memory.

Would love to see Mike Mangini fill Neil’s spot. I think he would be a great addition to the band!!!

All the way Mike Mancini is the best fit can’t see anyone else getting the job done with honor for Neil Peart

This is a job cut out for Mike Portnoy. Pretty much nobody else.

A couple of years ago I saw Kim Mitchell in concert. He had a young drummer who was amazing, I know he could cut it.

Two words!!! DAVE GROHL

I agree!! Dave appreciates RUSH and as a previous drummer understands.

I think they will do great. Neil was the GOAT. Noone wil compare but. They can make new music and still call it Rush if they play the old stuff too!

Neil was over qualified for the job. The 40 year audition went real well but it’s time to move on. Rest in peace professor and goat

I love Rush. It’s difficult to imagine replacing Neil; he was the lyricist on all but the first album, and a legendary drummer. Will a new drummer simply mean that Rush is a cover band of themselves, or will they write new songs?. TBH, I’d go see them if they were not writing, but it is the big question I have.

I know a drummer who would make Neil proud! 😁

Honestly I think it would be healthy for them to go to the next chapter.

My pick for a replacement drummer would be Mike Portnoy He can do the job, He has a great deal of respect for rush ,(Neil) and face it Neil and Mike both are professors . Yep . That’s my take on it !.

I 100% agree, maybe even Mike Mangini or Marco Minneman

I nominate Gavin Harrison.

It’s Alex’s band. He can hire anyone he wants and call it RUSH.

Tools drummer. Danny Carey is the latest I read.

I agree, He could bring a whole different rhythm to the new stuff they could produce AND is talented enough to bring a Neil’esque build for the group on the original songs.

What would Neil want them to do??

El Estepario Siberiano could do it. Thus is the closest to Neil you will ever get. Thus guy could play anything.

He would definitely be my top choice.

That dudes a total shredder on the drums! Be nice if he took up the challenge

Please stop.. tge internet drummer makes great vids.

But stop with Neal is irreplaceable.

Danny Carey uis a better drummer.

Mangini is a better drummer

Portnoy is a better drummer.

Oeart was king once upon a time but in time the talent gets better. EVH was king now 100s of guys are better

The guy for the job no question is Tool drummer Danny Carey hands down

Danny Carey did the shows with them last year. He’s the one.

Here’s my unpopular opinion, and it’s based on what Geddy said while on The Strombo Show in January 2024. Geddy and Alex will never again “TOUR” as Rush. Geddy and Alex will never again TOUR at all! Geddy and Alex have “RETIRED FROM TOURING!” Touring is a lot of work and neither of them want to be away from their families or the “new” lives they become accustomed to! However, they have not ruled out writing, possibly recording and possibly playing a show here and there! All of this is “POSSIBLY!” Yet it is also possible that nothing will happen!!! According to Geddy, him and his wife will be going on a long post tour vacation and when he returns it is POSSIBLE that him and Alex may do some messing around. (Which means nothing may ever come of it!) Opinion: all of us Rush fans would love to hear more from them, however retirement is RETIREMENT! And they deserve to be retired with no pressure from labels, management, fans, anything. It just happens that they still live playing, so it could be as much as what is stated above or as little as the two just jamming, without going beyond that.

I’ve been a fan since the 80’s. Learned ever bass, keyboard and pedalboard part that Geddy ever played. Also EJ’s need many songs on the drums and guitar! I absolutely love Rush and miss them every day! But Rush ended when Neil retired! ……..

Get this kid. (He is 9) You guys and your drummer conversations. There are literally thousands of people that could do this. It’s much easier to copy than produce.

https://youtu.be/7XZbzweWKnc?si=uJ2Bzo8gaupKb4mZ

Waiting for some comments like “yeah, he’s good, but not exactly like The Professor.” Lol. There are many many drummers that learned through Rush. For people to say that no one “could handle it” is just head in the sand.

The only currently available drummer I could see coming close to the professor would be Mike Mangini

Only Todd Sucherman could pull it off technically

Gil Moore of Triumph would be their best fit should they do it. Great drummer, Canadian, and available. No one could ever replace Neil.

I find it incredible that no one mentions larnel lewis he’d fit right in and he’s from Toronto

Carmine Appice

Gavin Harrison or Danny Carey. These two only.

Headline doesn’t actually match article. They didn’t confirm anything other than they’ve talked about it. That is not confirming touring plans.

My guess – they will do some shows with other bands like they did for the Taylor Hawkins tribute – just sitting in for a few songs here and there with various people filling in on drums and I really like the ideas of great players coming in for 1-2 songs because it reinforces the message that one person CAN’T replace Neil.

Todd Sucherman. He is the most accurate drummer today and a worthy replacement for the incredible Neil Peart.

This guy would be able to handle Peart’s complex drumming. Jorge Garrido (a.k.a. El Estepario Siberiano) https://youtu.be/a_vD1FWP6W4?si=DpAQO1cOYKeo5aIR

This guy would be able to handle Peart’s complex drumming. Jorge Garrido (a.k.a. El Estepario Siberiano)

Danny Carey All Day would Be my suggestion..Amazing Drummer

Terry Bozzio.

I would love to see another Canadian icon at the drum kit. I think Gil Moore from Triumph would be awsome . Another amazing Canadian icon Johnny Fay from the tragically hip

Dave Grohl could do it. But NOBODY can replace the great Neil. Master.

Get Mike Mangini! And Tour Europe please!

Keeping the original roots Canadian. I would consider the drummer from Terra Cotta 2.0 Hopefully the boys will get out a couple of more times to put closure to a chapter that touched the world 🌎.

Gavin Harrison is the man for the job.

Stewart Copeland could be a good fit in my opinion.

DAvid Garibaldi

no Mike Mangine should be the one to do the job he would be perfect!

I think replacing the professor is a tall task for anyone but,I don’t think any of the modern drummers would be the answer. I’m willing to bet that there are drummers out there that can do a reasonable job

There are no drummers who can replace Neil. If the guys want to keep going they need to find a drummer who is strong enough to stand on their own. Not even try to be Neil Peart.

I’m not saying they shouldn’t ever play Rush songs again but I Couldn’t imagine putting on a traditional Rush concert without Neil Peart or Alex or Getty Some drummers are capable of playing some rush songs correct but no one can play all the songs correctly like Peart done even if someone Manages to play all the right notes ,beats and Rhythms it still wouldn’t sound as good without Peart’s unique style and personality that came across in his playing. I don’t think Geddy and Alex would settle for second best. He was a perfectionist throughout his entire Career without showing off or a bunch of flair while making the impossible look easy . Not everyone is replaceable

Danny Carey would improve Rush immensely

Not being facetious, but Omar nailed it and would have made Neil really proud…

What about Carl Palmer (ELP) ?

Carl Palmer would be able for sure. No doubt.

I’ve got a roland TR and I’m available!

Did you see when Grohl played with Rush during their induction into the rock and roll hall of Fame? Pretty impressive.

Greg Bissonette

Deen Castronovo could do it. He’s a beast, and could sing background vocals, too, not that Rush has many of those.

Please let be Stewart Coupland.

If he’s available and up for it, I’d love to see Virgil Donati fill the role.

I’m sorry… Tim Alexander has been playing Rush with Rush for years. He’s got the chops, stamina and groove that Alex and Geddy love.

It’s Gotta be Tim!

I think precision is what will count when trying to perform these masterpieces. Thomas Lang is about the only person who comes to mind for me.

Carter Beaufort could handle the job. He is seriously underrated but is a fine and creative percussionist. IMHO

Let’s not forget, Neil was not the first drummer for Rush. Why should he be the last?

What about Carl Palmer?

Tommy Aldridge! Thats all you need to know!

wHO ELSE BILL BRUFORD

Typical speculation, enjoy it or not when this project comes to fruition. Don’t have any expectations because you will be disappointed.

I’d say Rory Dolan or Kris Myers. None of the rock drummers are good enough

Correction. Neal was not a founding member, John Rutsey was the original drummer,

they need Simon Phillips

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Get Latest Rock & Metal News Delivered Straight To Your Inbox!

Made with Mailchimp

• Moscow concerts Moscow concerts Moscow concerts See all Moscow concerts ( Change location ) Today · Next 7 days · Next 30 days
• Most popular artists worldwide
• Trending artists worldwide

• Tourbox for artists

Search for events or artists

• Sign up Log in

• Get the app
• Moscow concerts
• Change location
• Popular Artists
• Live streams
• Deutsch Português
• Popular artists

Rush  

• No longer touring
• 1738 past concerts

Join Songkick to track your favorite artists and never miss them live.

Tours most with

Past concerts.

Eighteenth Street Lounge

Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre

View all past concerts

Rush (formed in 1968) is arguably the most popular and established progressive/hard rock band of all time. Hailing from Willowdale, Toronto, Canada, the band is known for their long and dedicated touring schedules and as being some of the most proficient musicians in the industry.

Officially formed in 1968 it wasn’t until May 1974 with lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Geddy Lee, guitarist and backing vocalist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and songwriter Neil Peart, that the band’s lineup cemented itself. A year earlier Rush released their debut single “Not Fade Away”, a cover of the Buddy Holly song followed by their debut full-length “Rush” in 1974. With Peart’s science-fiction and fantasy-infused songwriting at the core of the band appeal, Rush released the albums “Fly by Night” and “Caress of Steel” in 1975, followed by their breakthrough album “2112” in 1976. The latter release set the band’s formula for success by combining Lee’s high-pitched vocals, Lifeson’s enviable guitar work, and Peart’s intense drumming.

Rush went from strength to strength with their proceeding albums beginning with 1977’s Top 40 album “A Farwell to Kings”, followed by 1978’s “Hemispheres”, the less progressive “Permanent Waves” in 1980, and 1981’s “Moving Pictures”. By this point Rush had become notorious for their exuberant live shows and instrument proficiency, and although they never found much favour with critics, they augmented a dedicated fan following and huge respect among fellow musicians. The album “Signals” spawned the smash hit single “New World Man” in 1983, which made way for the subsequent albums “Grace Under Pressure” in 1984 and “Power Windows” in 1985.

In a move away from their heavy guitar-driven sound towards a more polished, synth-inspired aesthetic, the two albums “Hold Your Fire” in 1987 and “Presto” in 1989 alienated a number of the band’s fans. The ’90s however saw a return to form with the release of “Roll the Bones” in 1991 and the U.S. Billboard 200 Top 3 album “Counterparts” in 1993. Following the release of “Test for Echo” in 1996 and a subsequent tour, Peart’s daughter died in a car accident and his wife lost her battle with cancer. Despite this upset Rush remained a solid unit, and retuned five years later to release their 17th studio album “Vapor Trails” in 2002. Rush’s 30th anniversary tour was celebrated by a documentary DVD “R30” in 2004, followed three years later by the full-length “Snakes & Arrows”. A string of video productions arrived in the 2000s documenting the band’s epic stage show and history, interspersed between the band’s 19th studio album “Clockwork Angels” issued in June 2012.

Live reviews

I've seen a lot of shows over the years and a handful of those have been Rush shows. It's Tuesday, July 21, when I step out of arguably the sketchiest hotel I've ever seen, onto the Portland streets, and anxiously make my way towards a sold out Moda Center for show number six. Quickly, I join the middle-aged, t-shirted, kids-in-tow exodus of fans swiftly navigating their way to the promised land, arena bound. A brief beverage stop, Laurelwood's Mother Lode Golden Ale, before "finding my way" to my seat for what could be, what will likely be, my final Rush concert. It's show time.

Some things never change, and when it comes to Rush, that's not only a good thing, it's what's expected. And this night is, as expected, stellar musicianship by three of the most talented artists on the planet. All nicely complemented by the impressive sound quality, typical attention to detail, geeky sense of humor, and bar-setting performances that have become the rule rather than the exception.

It's show time. From beginning to end, or literally, from end to beginning, as the Canadian trio runs through their 40-year catalog in reverse timeline. A playlist, obviously of their choosing, giving the fans what they need, not necessarily what they want. Headlong Flight, Distant Early Warning, Red Barchetta, Jacobs Ladder, Xanadu, Lakeside Park, and Working Man being a few unexpected highlights, with a few standards, Subdivisions, Tom Sawyer, 2112, thrown in, and of course, a drum solo.

Yes, a drum solo, a Rush show wouldn't be a Rush show without a technical masterpiece from Mr. Percussionist himself, Neil Peart, sending the sold-out crowd into a collective frenzy. Not to overshadow the other wheels of this super-charged tricycle. Geddy Lee brought his epic, complicated bass lines to life with unparalleled precision and talent, equally on recent offerings (Headlong Flight) and earlier work (Cygnus X-1). Of course, all while not missing a beat on the bass pedals, keyboards, and vocals, which in 40-years haven't lost much in range and intensity. And Alex Lifeson, an underrated "working man" simply doing his job, it’s never flashy, never showy, just perfect execution, song after song, guitar after guitar.

There was no shortage of guitars as Lifeson and Lee both swapped them out frequently, as if showcasing 40 years of instruments responsible for 40 years of music. At one point, both firing through Xanadu with classic double necks on their way to a grande finale. A finale that brought our time traveling to a new set, a high-school gymnasium with a crystal ball and replica ‘75 drum kit, and to 1975s Fly By Night, and their debut, 1974s Rush.

And with that, it ended where it all began, well, sort of. I was on the streets again, The Lloyd district in the aftermath, with the midway hawkers, post-show tweakers, prostitutes and crazed pizza delivery boys, not exactly the subdivisions of Rush classics. Not exactly an easy show to wind down from either, requiring cheap beer, cigarettes, lawn chairs, and heated discussions in the hotel parking lot. Although the alternative was going to bed, and that was not an option this night, not in that hotel. But, we were momentarily in the same building with Rush, the three kings, and nothing could kill that buzz, nothing except the reality that this may be it, this may be the farewell.

Report as inappropriate

Flew up from South Florida to see what Geddy said may be the last big tour for a while. Just couldn't miss this one, seen most every tour since Hemispheres. This was the first show in many years where I avoided reviews and set lists prior to going, I wanted to be surprised. Opening up with The Anarchist was not a shock, but two more from Clockwork Angels got me wondering if they were counting down. They confirmed that was the plan when they did Far Cry from Snakes and Arrows. There is no way to do everyone of my favorites but their setlist below was very well thought out. Even some of my least favorite mid-late 80's albums were represented with the best cuts like Between the Wheels and Subdivisions. I told a first time Rush Concert goer sitting next to me to get ready for Set 2 knowing it was going to kick off with Moving Pictures. Needless to say, I was blown away!!! Highlights of the night for me were; How It Is, The Camera Eye, Jacob's Ladder, Cygnus, Xanadu and Lakeside Park, songs I've not heard them play live very often, or at all. This is a must see for any Rock and Roll fan, do not miss this Tour!!

The Anarchist

The Wreckers

Headlong Flight

(With mini drum solo)

The Main Monkey Business

Roll the Bones

Between the Wheels

Subdivisions

The Camera Eye

The Spirit of Radio

Jacob's Ladder

Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres Part I: Prelude

(The Voyage Part 1 & 3 with drum solo)

Closer to the Heart

2112 Part I: Overture

2112 Part II: The Temples of Syrinx

2112 Part IV: Presentation

2112 Part VII: Grand Finale

Lakeside Park

What You're Doing

The number of times I've seen Rush span across the years from 1978, on only their second visit to the UK, to last year at the O2 Arena in support of their Clockwork Angels album.

Despite several early line up changes, the core of Rush has been for an incredible 40 years: Geddy Lee on Bass and Vocals, Alex Lifeson on Guitars and the Drum Professor himself, Mr Neil Peart.

A live show by Rush is a full on, near 3 hour experience with lights and lasers, screen projections, fireworks and even props on stage. And that's even before you get to the soaring music. With 19 studio albums under their belt, Rush have an impressive back catalogue to delve into. There will always be the crowd pleasing tracks such as Tom Sawyer and The Spirit of Radio but Rush are not content with producing a mere Greatest Hits package, they happily play more recent material too. It's a real achievement that they are still selling out large arenas at this late stage of their career and the passion of the fans is as strong as any band I've come across.

To sum up, this trio of amiable Canadians have produced the nearest thing to the soundtrack of my life as any other band and I'll be first in the queue when their next tour is announced.

Rush was simply awesome last night in Greensboro. After 40 years of some making great music, they are still going strong. The evening started with a couple of Clockwork Angels songs and slide back in time until the encore of Rush Album hits. The stage was modified to fit the time period as we continued back in time. Washing machines early in the show through huge stacks of amplifiers in the 80's, back to more humbler beginnings. Alex and Getty pulled out the double necked guitar and zebras on Xanadu, while Neil used two drum kits! Fantastic night.

Set one - The world is....The world is...

Headlong flight (w/mini drum solo)

Main monkey business

Roll the bones

Between the wheels

Intermission

Set 2 - No country for old hens

Camera eye (on memory of Andrew McLaughtin)

Spirit of radio

Jacobs ladder

Cygnus X-1 Book II hemisphere

Part I prelude?

Cygnus X-1 (w/Drum solo)

Xanadu (double neck guitar and bass!)

Temple of syrinx

Presentation

Grand finale

Encore - Mel's rock starring Gene Levy

Lakeside park

What your doing

Working man

Toronto trio Rush has always been praised for the musicianship and skill that its members obtained. Having formed over forty years ago, the band clearly has had its practice playing live and they are described still as one of the most technical bands working on the circuit. Often extending tracks such as 'Grand Designs' and 'Far Cry' to include complex instrumental bridges and outros that are as hypnotising as they are impressive.

A lengthy affair, the band perform two sets of tracks along with a huge encore featuring all three parts of '2112'. Armed with a barrage of visuals though Rush create more of a show than a simple gig as the stage design seems to twist, turn and adapt to the music being performed. The skill of drummer Neil Peart cannot go unrecognised as he plays an impossible amount of drums at a blistering pace despite being over sixty years old.

Rush's loyal audience are enthusiastic throughout, cheering, singing and dancing to the very final track following a total of around five hours on their feet. This band are a credit to progressive rock and show no signs of slowing after forty years together.

I give what may as well be their last performance for a long time a 10/10 review! The show last night was a spectacle from the present to the past. They touched on many albums over the 3 hours they played. It was my first show at the fabulous Forum, and man did Rush bring it down. They played Subdivisions which is my favorite song, also a live staple, it brought me to a place of happiness i haven't been in a long time. The entire first set was full of present day hits. The second half of the show saw the guys breaking down their '70s music, finally ending with a finale of four songs from their first three albums. It was an incredible sight to see Cygnus X-1 books one and two, Xanadu, and four parts of 2112 played along hits like Closer to the Heart, Tom Sawyer, Spirit of Radio, and they even played Red Barchetta! It was simply a magical night and i couldn't see my time in Los Angeles coming to end any better than with my second favorite band of all time! Thank you Rush for all that you do for music and as people!

If you are a fan this is a must see show as it may be their last tour. The set list is somewhat fluid which I was very thankful for as some of their selections in the first set are not my favorite. But they changed things up in Denver and played Distant Early Warning in the first set then played YYZ instead of Camera Eye in the second.

I had never seen them do Xanadu live and it was a big plus, also seeing Getty and Alex both playing double necks was a visual treat.

Great show theme taking them backwards in time to a high school dance complete with mirror ball was fun.

As always 5 stars on a 0-4 scale. No one matches these guys dedication and honest effort to give their fans a great show. They NEVER "mail it in" like some bands.

What a great show, Rush was in top Form, loved the progression of the show from Mew Rush to the beginning of rush, the light show, changing of stage to reflect the time period of the songs were very cool.. I hope this was not the last show ever, Neil Peart is the best drummer in the world, Alex is one the most polished, professional and under-rated guitar players in the world, but I saw Van Halen last week and he played much better than Edfie Van Halen. Geddy, the man with the golden Voice, still can sing every song as good as it was done originally, not like the washed up David Lee Roth I saw last week who speaks when he can't sing. The holy trinity is my favorite band live of all time, all Hail Rush

Rush really knows how to put on a great show! Great setlist, cool lights and the energy to rival any 20 year old...they really rock! This is more than likely their last tour so catch them if you can. The only negative was that the acoustics at the Seattle the venue were so horrid that I think it messed them up a few times. Subdivisions, Camera Eye and Hemispheres were out of sync at times.

I've read other reviews complaining about poor sound engineering and I would have to agree. At times Geddy's bass was just too overpowering. Although give the venue, it may have been the best they could do.

All in all it was still an amazing show and I would highly recommend it to anyone!

It was my first Rush concert, my brother's second and my dad's 7th or something. I thought it was really good, considering they are as old as my grandparents, but the first half the sound was weird with the bass. It had nothing to do with Rush, it was the sound system and the way it was reverberating. It was an experience and I had fun, the old fat man next to me wouldn't stop smoking and I got high since it was blowing IN MY FACE for HOURS. But whatever. It was a good time and I would see them before they retire absolutely if you like them at all.

Videos (13)

Photos (417)

Posters (45)

Touring history:

Last event:

Popularity ranking:

• Chicago (754)

Concerts played in 2024:

Most played:

• Los Angeles (LA) (53)
• Detroit (52)
• Toronto (51)
• Chicago (49)
• New York (NYC) (46)

Appears most with:

• Max Webster (134)
• Mr. Big (52)
• Primus (48)
• Rory Gallagher (41)

Distance travelled:

• Most popular charts
• API information
• Brand guidelines
• Community guidelines
• Terms of use
• Privacy policy
• Cookies settings
• Cookies policy

Get your tour dates seen everywhere.

• But we really hope you love us.

• Edit source
• View history
• The Early Years
• Fly by Night Tour
• Caress of Steel Tour
• All the World's a Stage Tour
• A Farewell to Kings Tour
• Archives Tour
• Hemispheres Tour
• Permanent Waves Warm Up Tour
• Permanent Waves Tour
• Moving Pictures Warm Up Tour
• Moving Pictures Tour
• Exit...Stage Left Tour
• Signals Warm Up Tour
• Signals Tour
• Grace Under Pressure Warm Up Tour
• Grace Under Pressure Tour
• Power Windows Warm Up Tour
• Power Windows Tour
• Hold Your Fire Tour
• Presto Tour
• Roll the Bones Tour
• Counterparts Tour
• Test for Echo Tour
• Vapor Trails Tour
• R30: 30th Anniversary Tour
• Snakes & Arrows Tour
• Snakes & Arrows Live Tour
• Time Machine Tour 2010
• Time Machine Tour 2011
• Clockwork Angels Tour
• R40: 40th Anniversary Tour

Rush Announce Dates for ‘Likely Last Major Tour of This Magnitude’

By Andy Greene

Andy Greene

After months of rumors, Rush  have announced tour dates for their 40th anniversary tour. They plan on hitting 34 cities across North America, kicking off May 8th in Tulsa, Oklahoma and wrapping up August 1st in Los Angeles. “These not-to-be-missed concerts will highlight four decades of the band’s music,” the group said in a press release. “[This] will most likely be their last major tour of this magnitude.”   Tickets go on sale January 30th.

The tour commemorates the 40th anniversary of drummer Neil Peart joining the band, even though that actually happened in 1974. Last year, however, they had just wrapped up a long tour in support of their album Clockwork Angels and opted to celebrate the anniversary in 2015.

The Clockworks Angels tour centered around new material and songs from their 1980s catalog, leaving aside their 1970s work until a 2112 medley that wrapped up the night. This tour will likely give more weight to all eras of their career, especially since the band is not promoting a new album. “I’ve always wanted to do some rarer Rush material,” guitarist Alex Lifeson told  Rolling Stone last year. “And this should be a good opportunity to do that.”

Frontman Geddy Lee spoke with Rolling Stone about the tour last November, noting, “I would think if we’re going to do some sort of anniversary thing, it’ll probably be a ‘trip through the years’ kind of thing.” When pressed, he said he was open to performing such rarities as the two books of “Cygnus,” “Cut To The Chase” and “Chemistry.”

On Rush’s 2010-11 Time Machine tour, they played their 1981 LP Moving Pictures straight through. As of now, they have not indicated whether or not they plan on reviving any complete albums on this tour.

Kristi Noem Describes Executing Puppy She 'Hated' in New Book

Billie eilish would like to reintroduce herself, kanye west announces 'yeezy porn' amid reports of adult film company, smashing pumpkins reveal kiki wong as their new guitarist after nationwide search.

R40 Live 40th Anniversary Tour Dates :

5/8 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center 5/10 – Lincoln, NE @ Pinnacle Bank Arena 5/12 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center 5/14 – St. Louis, MO @ Scottrade Center 5/16 – Austin, TX @ 360 Amphitheater 5/18 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center 5/20 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center 5/22 – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Arena 5/24 – Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena 5/26 – Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Amphitheater 5/28 – Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum 5/30 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live 6/8 – Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena 6/10 – Buffalo, NY @ First Niagara Center 6/12 – Chicago, IL @ United Center 6/14 – Detroit, MI @ The Palace of Auburn Hills 6/17 – Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Centre 6/21 – Montreal, QC @ Bel Centre 6/23 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden 6/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center 6/27 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center 6/29 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden 7/9 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center 7/11 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center 7/13 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Maverik Center 7/15 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome 7/17 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena 7/19 – Seattle, WA @ Key Arena 7/21 – Portland, OR @ MODA Center 7/23 – San Jose, CA @ SAP Center at San Jose 7/25 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena 7/27 – Phoenix, AZ @ US Airways Center 7/30 – Irvine Meadows, CA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre 8/1 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum

Editor’s picks

The 250 greatest guitarists of all time, the 500 greatest albums of all time, the 50 worst decisions in movie history, every awful thing trump has promised to do in a second term, jelly roll shines during stagecoach performance.

• Stagecoach 2024
• By Tomás Mier

Jelly Roll Shares Toby Keith Cover Ahead of Stagecoach Debut

• By Daniel Kreps

Lana Del Rey Joins Paul Cauthen for 'Unchained Melody' Duet at Stagecoach

• By Charisma Madarang

Fans Think Bad Bunny's Verse On Myke Towers' New Song 'Adivino' Is About Kendall Jenner

• guessing game
• By Julyssa Lopez

Britney Spears Settles With Dad, Avoiding Upcoming Trials Over Conservatorship

• By Nancy Dillon

Most Popular

Anne hathaway says 'gross' chemistry test in the 2000s required her to make out with 10 guys: that's the 'worst way to do it' and 'now we know better', 'the lord of the rings' trilogy returning to theaters, remastered and extended, louvre considers moving mona lisa to underground chamber to end 'public disappointment', sources claim hugh jackman’s worrying behavior may have something to do with his breakup, you might also like, at bmac event in l.a., mickey guyton, ink and other panelists assess what beyoncé’s ‘cowboy’ moment means for black female country artists, victoria justice shimmers in sequins at latin american music awards in dazzling cutout dress, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors, ‘what’s the matter with helen’ is a quotable midnight movie ritual made for two, vince mcmahon lists final tko shares for sale.

Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.

Verify it's you

Please log in.

• Remember me Not recommended on shared computers

Forgot your password?

Nicknames of the Band Members

By The Notorious B.S.G. , August 23, 2004 in Rush

Recommended Posts

The notorious b.s.g..

Who's this Lerxst guy? Who's Dirk?

Ok the nicknames we have so far, as well as the birth names:

Alex Lifeson

Birth name: Alex Zivojinovich (His last name, which is Yugoslavian, roughly translates as "Son of Life", hence, his professional name.)

Nicknames: Lerxst, Snow-Dog, Stan Getz (from "Rush in Rio")

Birth name: Gary Lee Weinrib

"Geddy" originates from the pronunciation of his first name by his Yiddish, Polish mother (some accounts attribute this pronunciation to his Grandmother).

Nickname: Dirk, By-Tor, That Guy From Ipanema (from "Rush in Rio")

Birth name: Neil Peart (last name pronounced to rhyme with "beer-t", not "Pert" as in the name of the shampoo.)

Nicknames: The Professor, Pratt, Milton Banana (from "Rush in Rio")

http://www.allbrazilianmusic.com/en/artist...&Nu_Artista=401

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

Jack Aubrey

You are correct!

DING DING DING!!!!

Let's not forget the ASOH nicknames

the_necromancer

Relaxed_Jack

What about during the VT tour and during one of Alex's rants, he introduces the drummer as 'that guy' and playing bass, 'that other guy'.

RushRevisited

On the 'Counterparts' dvd Al intros Geddy as Ted Nugent, Neil as Sparky Anderson, and himself as Lee Iacocca.

Yes see A View From The Palace

rushfan4life

yo check out my sig

"Now let me announce my backup band, on the skids, Mr. Milton Banana. On the bass, the guy from Ipenema. And I'm Stan Getz"

I think it's Milton Banana on the SKINS...someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Let's not forget the Counterparts tour where Lerxst introduced the guys (and himself) as someone different almost every night. Among others were:

Bill Clinton (both Neil and Ged)

Zsa Zsa Gabor "hope yer not a cop. She might punch you" (Ged)

Bob Barker (sp?) "don't forget to spay yer cats and dogs" (Neil)

And of course ".....The fabulous. the wonderful, the amazing Fabiooooooo". (Guess)

That guy kills me.

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Recently Browsing    0 members

• No registered users viewing this page.
• Existing user? Sign In
• Online Users
• Leaderboard
• All Activity
• Create New...

Join Tom every weekend for Rockport Sundays!

NOTE :The links to the venues will generally give you complete ticket information or a way to contact the promoter.

The time of performance occasionally varies, especially for outdoor or festival shows. Be sure to check with the venue to confirm show time.

If you’d like to see Tom in your area, be sure to let your local venue or sponsor organization know, as they’re the ones who hire him. But if there’s a particular place you’d like to see Tom you can let us know as well.

Get in touch!!

We would love to hear from you!

• What are you interested in? * Choose an option Joining the mailing list I want to book Tom for a concert Question about a purchase Corrections & Website Issues Message for Tom Resources for venues & presenters Resources for members of the press
• If you would like to get updates from TomRush.com delivered to your email box just add your details to the form below. Remember, you can unsubscribe at any time, by following the unsubscribe link in any of our correspondence.
• Fantastic! You inquirey will be forwarded to Tom's Agent, Andrea Sabata, who can be reached at Skyline Music : [email protected] 866-531-2172p106 ext. 106
• Oh thanks for pointing out a problem! Filling out the details below will help us make a website better for everyone.
• That's great news, Tom will be glad to hear from you, and someone will be in touch shortly. Fill out the form below, and then be on the lookout for an email on how to access press resources. If you are seeking for a promotional copy of Tom's newest album "Voices" for review or airplay, please contact Alan Edwards at Appleseed Recordings: [email protected]
• That's great news, We look forward to making this show a great success. Please, fill out the form below, and one of the team will be in touch. If you are seeking for a promotional copy of Tom's newest album "Voices" for review or airplay, please contact Alan Edwards at Appleseed Recordings: [email protected]

Tom does his best to reply to as much of your correspondence as possible, but may take a while if he's "On The Road Again". Some of the most common questions put to him can be found in the FAQ section of the website, so check it out!

This section is for people that have made a purchase from our online store .

• Is this a private event?
• What kind of event? *
• Name of press outlet you work for *
• Venue name *
• Hosting venue name *
• Venue Website *
• Hosting venue website *
• Desired dates: MM/DD/YY * What dates were you looking for? Give a range or specific dates.
• Audience Numbers * Please indicate the approximate size of your audience.
• Ticketing * Ticketed event Free event A mix of free and ticketed Will this be a free or ticketed event?
• Venue * Indoor Outdoor Will the concert be an indoor or outdoor event?
• Name * First Last
• Email Address * Enter Email Confirm Email
• Zip Code If you provide a zipcode, we'll try to let you know when Tom is going to be in your area.
• Order confirmation number: Did you recieve a confirmation number or code when you placed the order?
• When did you make the purchase? MM slash DD slash YYYY Please give us the date you placed the purchase so we can track down your order.
• URL Please copy and paste the address of the page on tomrush.com where you saw the problem.
• Description: * Can you describe the problem, and what were doing when you ran across it? Also helpful what browser and device were you using?
• City What city do you live in or near?
• State State of residence
• Zip Code Providing a postal code will help us in letting you know when Tom is going to be in your area.
• I've read and accept the Terms & Conditions , and Privacy Policy .

Join the mailing list!

• Email * Enter Email Confirm Email [email protected]
• zip-code If you provide us with city-state-zipcode details we'll use this information to let you know when Tom is going to be in your area.
• I've read and accept the Terms & Conditions , and Privacy Policy .

vip package

Join today to be first for all our latest news

Money latest: The 'German classic' that's a healthier and cheaper alternative to crisps

Crisps are on the menu as we see where you can make healthier choices for the best value. Elsewhere, the boss of Sainsbury's has insisted customers like self-checkouts - do you agree? Leave your thoughts in the box below.

Friday 26 April 2024 19:45, UK

• New research reveals cost of having children
• Sainsbury's boss insists customers like self-checkouts
• FTSE 100 hits another record high
• Halifax hikes mortgage rates - as entire market moves upwards

Essential reads

• Do smart meters actually save you money?
• How to buy the least unhealthy crisps
• The world of dark tourism - what is it, is it ethical and where can you go?
• Money Problem : I have a mortgage offer - will it change now rates are rising?
• Savings Guide : Why locking into fixed-rate bond could be wise move
• Cheap Eats : Michelin chef's secret lasagne tip - and expensive ingredient you shouldn't use

Ask a question or make a comment

The family home where Captain Sir Tom Moore walked 100 laps to raise nearly £40m for the NHS during the first COVID lockdown is up for sale for £2.25m.

The Grade II-listed Old Rectory is described as a "magnificent seven-bedroom property" by estate agents Fine & Country.

In a video tour of the house, a sculpture of Captain Tom with his walking frame can be seen in the hallway, while a photo of the fundraising hero being knighted by the Queen is on a wall in the separate coach house building.

Introducing the property, an estate agent says in the tour video: "I'm sure you'll recognise this iconic and very famous driveway behind me as it was home to the late Captain Sir Tom Moore who walked 100 laps of his garden, raising over £37m for NHS charities."

It comes less than three months after the demolition of an unauthorised spa pool block in the grounds of the property in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.

Speaking at an appeal hearing over that spa, Scott Stemp, representing Captain Tom's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband, said the foundation named after the fundraising hero "is to be closed down" following a Charity Commission probe launched amid concerns about its management.

For the full story, click here ...

"Status symbol" pets are being given up by owners who get scared as they grow up, an animal charity has said, with the cost of living possibly paying a part in a rise in separations.

The Exotic Pet Refuge, which homes parrots, monkeys, snakes and alligators among others, says it receives referrals across the country, including from zoos and the RSPCA.

"They're a status symbol. People will say, 'OK, I'll have an alligator or a 10ft boa constrictor'," co-owner Pam Mansfield told the BBC.

"But when the animal gets big, they will get too frightened to handle them, and then the pet has to go."

She added people who want to get rid of the pets sometimes call zoos for help, which then call on her charity.

In some cases, owners don't have licences to own dangerous animals, she says, blaming a "lack of understanding" for what she says is a rise in the number of exotic animals needing to be rehomed.

She says people "just don't have the space" for some snakes, for example, with some growing to as much as 12ft and needing their own room.

The cost of living crisis has also forced owners to give their pets away, she says.

Her charity has also been affected by those increased costs, with the electricity bill rising to £10,000 a month at their highest, to fund things like heated pools for alligators.

Private car parks are accused of "confusing drivers" after introducing a new code of conduct - despite "doing all they can" to prevent an official government version.

The code of practice launched by two industry bodies - British Parking Association and the International Parking Community - includes a ten-minute grace period for motorists to leave a car park after the parking period they paid for ends.

It also features requirements for consistent signage, a single set of rules for operators on private land and an "appeals charter".

Private parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees.

That comes after a government-backed code of conduct was withdrawn in June 2022, after a legal challenges by parking companies.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "We're flabbergasted that the BPA and the IPC have suddenly announced plans to introduce their own private parking code after doing all they can over the last five years to prevent the official government code created by an act of Parliament coming into force.

"While there are clearly some positive elements to what the private parking industry is proposing, it conveniently avoids some of the biggest issues around caps on penalty charges and debt recovery fees which badly need to be addressed to prevent drivers being taken advantage of."

BPA chief executive Andrew Pester said: "This is a crucial milestone as we work closely with government, consumer bodies and others to deliver fairer and more consistent parking standards for motorists."

IPC chief executive Will Hurley said: "The single code will benefit all compliant motorists and will present clear consequences for those who decide to break the rules."

Sky News has learnt the owner of Superdry's flagship store is weighing up a legal challenge to a rescue plan launched by the struggling fashion retailer.

M&G, the London-listed asset manager, has engaged lawyers from Hogan Lovells to scrutinise the restructuring plan.

The move by M&G, which owns the fashion retailer's 32,000 square foot Oxford Street store, will not necessarily result in a formal legal challenge - but sources say it's possible.

Read City editor Mark Kleinman 's story here...

NatWest says its mortgage lending nearly halved at the start of the year as it retreated from parts of the market when competition among lenders stepped up.

New mortgage lending totalled £5.2bn in the first three months of 2024, the banking group has revealed, down from £9.9bn the previous year.

The group, which includes Royal Bank of Scotland and Coutts, also reported an operating pre-tax profit of £1.3bn for the first quarter, down 27% from £1.8bn the previous year.

An unexplained flow of British luxury cars into states neighbouring Russia continued into February, new data shows.

About £26m worth of British cars were exported to Azerbaijan, making the former Soviet country the 17th biggest destination for UK cars - bigger than long-established export markets such as Ireland, Portugal and Qatar.

Azerbaijan's ascent has coincided almost to the month with the imposition of sanctions on the export of cars to Russia.

Read the rest of economics and data editor Ed Conway 's analysis here...

Rishi Sunak has hailed the arrival of pay day with a reminder his government's additional National Insurance tax cut kicks in this month for the first time.

At last month's budget, the chancellor announced NI will be cut by a further 2p - so some workers will pay 8% of their earnings instead of the 12% if was before autumn.

The prime minister has repeated his claim this will be worth £900 for someone on the average UK salary.

While this additional cut - on top of the previous 2p cut in January - does equate to £900 for those on average full-time earnings of £35,000, there are two key issues with Mr Sunak's claim:

• Once the effect of all income tax changes since 2021 are taken into account, the Institute for Fiscal Studies reports an average earner will benefit from a tax cut of £340 - far less than £900;
• Moreover, anyone earning less than £26,000 or between £55,000-£131,000 will ultimately be worse off.

In short, this is because NI cuts are more than offset by other tax rises.

We explain below how this is the case...

Tax thresholds

This is partly down to tax thresholds - the amount you are allowed to earn before you start paying tax (and national insurance) and before you start paying the higher rate of tax - will remain frozen. 

This means people end up paying more tax than they otherwise would, when their pay rises with inflation but the thresholds don't keep up. 

This phenomenon is known as "fiscal drag" and it's often called a stealth tax because it's not as noticeable immediately in your pay packet.

That low threshold of £12,570 has been in place since April 2021. 

The Office for Budget Responsibility says if it had increased with inflation it would be set at £15,220 for 2024/25.

If that were the case, workers could earn an extra £2,650 tax-free each year.

Less give, more take

Sky News analysis shows someone on £16,000 a year will pay £607 more in total - equivalent to more than three months of average household spending on food. 

Their income level means national insurance savings are limited but they are paying 20% in income tax on an additional £2,650 of earnings.

In its analysis , the IFS states: "In aggregate the NICs cuts just serve to give back a portion of the money that is being taken away through other income tax and NICs changes - in particular, multi-year freezes to tax thresholds at a time of high inflation."

Overall, according to the institute, for every £1 given back to workers by the National Insurance cuts, £1.30 will have been taken away due to threshold changes between 2021 and 2024.

This rises to £1.90 in 2027.

The UK could face a shortage of cava due to a drought in the sparkling wine's Spanish heartlands.

The Penedes area of Catalonia is dealing with its worst drought on record, with vineyards across the region so parched the roots of 30-year-old vines have died.

It's left shrivelled red and green grapes languishing under intense sun, fuelled by fossil-fuel driven climate change.

Cava is an increasingly popular drink in the UK, with 17.8 million bottles sold in 2023 - an increase of 5% from the previous year, when Britons stocked up on 16.8 million bottles, according to the Cava Regulatory Board.

That makes the UK the fourth-biggest buyer, behind only the US, Belgium and Germany.

Workforce slashed

The problems have been compounded after Catalonia-based cava producer Freixenet announced it will temporarily lay off 615 workers, almost 80% of its workforce.

Under Spanish law, companies facing exceptional circumstances can lay off staff or reduce working hours.

This measure is expected to take effect from May and it is not known how long it will last.

Price rises

One industry source told retail publication The Grocer  that cava shortages would push up prices "certainly for next year" if there isn't enough supply.

This could last for years if the drought persists, they added.

Consumer expert Helen Dewdney told MailOnline the staff cuts at Freixenet can only mean one thing - price rises.

However, she added, supermarkets say they are not experiencing any issues right now.

Parents are being hammered by rising childcare costs, according to a new study that suggests they may spend more than £160,000 raising their child to the age of 18.

Research by Hargreaves Lansdown has found that parents with children pay £6,969 a year more than couples without.

Over 18 years and assuming an annual inflation rate of 3%, that amounts to a whopping £163,175, the investment platform said.

Its study also found that parents were less likely to have money left at the end of the month.

Single parents carry the biggest burden, with the research suggesting they have just £85 left on average compared to £365 for couples with children.

Hargreaves Lansdown also found just 23% of single parents reported having enough emergency savings to cover at least three months' worth of essential expenses, compared to 63% of couples with children.

Parents are also at a slight disadvantage when it comes to pensions, the research found, with only 43% of couples with children on track for a moderate retirement income, compared to 47% without. Only 17% of single parents have a decent projected pension fund.

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at the firm, said "having children is one of the most expensive decisions a person can make".

She adds that as a result of having a child, "financial resilience suffers across the board", and added: "For single parents, life is even tougher, and they face far lower resilience on almost every measure.

"It means we need all the help we can get."

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

One of the top stories shaking up the markets this morning is that UK-based mining company Anglo American has rejected a major $38.8bn (£31bn) takeover bid.

Details of the attempted buyout by Australian rival BHP emerged yesterday  - sending Anglo American shares soaring.

The deal would have created the world's biggest copper mining company - with the news coming as the price of the metal hit record highs this week.

However, Anglo American has now dismissed the proposal as "opportunistic" and said BHP had undervalued the company.

Anglo's shares are slightly down by 0.8% this morning - suggesting investors may not have given up hopes that a deal could eventually be agreed.

However, overall the FTSE 100 is up around 0.4% this morning, buoyed by strong reported earnings from US tech giants Microsoft and Google owner Alphabet.

It's helped the index, of the London Stock Exchange's 100 most valuable companies, hit yet another intraday (during the day) record of 8,136 points this morning.

The winning streak comes after a week of all-time highs on the index - including a record close of 8,078 points yesterday. The score is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

Among the companies doing well this morning is NatWest - despite the bank reporting a fall in pre-tax profits of nearly 28% for the first quarter of the year.

Shares in the lender are up more than 3% after its results were better than expected by analysts.

On the currency markets, £1 buys $1.25 US or €1.16, almost on a par with yesterday.

Meanwhile, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil has crept up slightly to $89 (£71).

Self-checkouts - they're like marmite, people seem to either love them or hate them.

But the boss of Sainsbury's has claimed that his customers do  enjoy using self-checkouts, despite criticism that that machines don't always provide the convenience promised.

Simon Roberts told The Telegraph that there are more of them in Sainsbury's stores "than a number of years ago" as shoppers like the "speedy checkout".

But despite this, he said there won't be a time when they'll replace cashiers completely.

"Over the last year, where we've put more self-checkouts in, we're always making sure that the traditional kind of belted checkout is there," he said.

His comments come after northern supermarket Booths ditched self-checkouts at all but two of its sites after customer feedback. 

Walmart and Costco in the US have also scaled back on the systems.

Let us know in the comments - do you love or hate self-checkouts?

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team will get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week it is...

'Smart meters save you money'

For this one, we've enlisted the help of Dr Steve Buckley, also known as the Energy Doctor and head of data science at Loop...

So do smart meters help you save? 

"The short answer is both yes and no," Steve says.

"Installing a smart meter by itself won't magically reduce your energy consumption. But, by giving you easy access to your energy usage data, smart meters pave the way for savings that you couldn't achieve otherwise."

Before smart meters, most households only found out how much energy they had used when the bill arrived. 

By that stage it's too late to address wasteful usage, leading to what's known as "bill shock". 

"With a smart meter, you can see your usage and costs in real-time through an in-home display or an app provided by your supplier," Steve says. 

"This immediate feedback encourages you to use less energy. If you measure it, you can control it."

In 2022, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero found that homes with smart meters used about 3.4% less electricity and 3% less gas. 

"This might not seem like a lot, but it adds up to a saving of over £50 per household annually," Steve says.  

If all homes in the UK made similar cuts, that would amount to savings of around £1.5bn and a potential reduction in CO2 emissions by about 2.7m tonnes each year. 

"Good for individual households but also great for the planet," Steve says. 

Smart meters are often installed at no extra cost to the consumer - it's effectively free data for households. 

Limitations

Smart meters are more or less what you make of them - a simple, free tool that allows you to see headline figures. 

However, "without detailed analysis, it's tough to identify and eliminate" where you could be wasting money, Steve says. 

Apps like Utrack, Loop and Hugo Energy can help you work out where you might be losing money by offering a more detailed breakdown if connected to your smart meter. 

Those tools are often free, but you may need to register your card details as proof of address. 

The tools give a number of useful insights, including looking at consumption in other households of similar size or monitoring where chunks of your money are going, such as to a faulty boiler or the "phantom load" (energy wasted by devices left on unnecessarily).

Myth or must?

Although smart meters alone don't reduce energy bills, they are a vital tool to help energy efficiency and cost savings. 

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free