RUN FOR YOUR LIVES 2026
- Thread starter Ledges Bitten In Dust
- Start date
dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
The thing about no phones show is that we are not going to see killers fuck up for the 10th time and the magic of the overdub or copy paste like donington 1992 "balancing on the evilenge"
Eduardo Cabeza
Trooper
Agree. «Infinite Dreams» is a very tough one because it shows whether you have that swing or not.
Poto
Ancient Mariner
Only the floor is no phones
Austrogoth
Ancient Mariner
Great shirt for San Siro. Source: ethfc
I find this interview interesting as a comparison to Iron Maiden’s approach, since Rush actually made the opposite decision in every respect:
Iron Maiden chose someone who was already familiar with the Iron Maiden repertoire, who is English/speaks English as a native language, and they don’t place any importance on the new drummer reproducing Nicko’s part exactly, whereas Rush are trying to preempt comparisons with her predecessor because Anika is a woman.
Rock Hard Germany No. 468
My Translation
Did she already know your repertoire?
GEDDY: “She’d only heard the song ‘Tom Sawyer’ and, of course, knew Neil - because basically every drummer has heard of Neil Peart...”
ALEX: “But she wasn’t a RUSH fan and didn’t know our songs. So she started from scratch and had to learn everything, which ultimately turned out to be a very positive thing. ”
I assume you were also looking for personal qualities - someone you’d get along with?
GEDDY: “Yes, and she’s fantastic. I’m teaching her how to speak Canadian English, and she’s teaching me German (laughs).”
You mean you’re teaching her to speak Canadian French?
GEDDY: “No.... No one can speak Canadian French except for
Quebecers (laughs). And that’s not French. Actually, we’re sort of learning to become compatriots.”
How much leeway will she have to adapt or reinterpret Neil’s parts?
GEDDY: “We’ll see, but for now she has to learn to play his parts exactly as they were recorded. That’s the starting point. Because
if the song doesn’t sound the way it’s supposed to, our fans will think we’re not keeping our promise to give them a RUSH concert. So it has to
sound like Neil Peart. As for the details, we can be more flexible.
Our fans often know our songs by heart, down to the smallest detail - especially the rhythm. That’s why they expect the specific drumming gimmicks that give our songs their identity and give them the chance to play air drums (laughs). And there are plenty of those! Over time, Anika will have the opportunity to bring her own style to the table wherever she feels it’s possible. But first, she has to master the composed material perfectly. She’s working very hard on that. We regularly spend just under a week together in Canada to rehearse a series of songs. Then she travels back to Germany and works on them there on her own before we meet up for a new rehearsal session.”
Without asking for names, I assume that well-known drummers have offered their services to you.
GEDDY: “I can confirm that (smiles).”
You’ve made a decision similar to Linkin Park’s, who replaced their late singer with a female vocalist. Is that also a way to
preempt the inevitable comparisons?
GEDDY: “ That’s exactly it. Even though it’s a coincidence, of course, because it was above all her playing that convinced us. But the fact that Anika is a woman is a very good thing. It helps make the transition easier.
Iron Maiden chose someone who was already familiar with the Iron Maiden repertoire, who is English/speaks English as a native language, and they don’t place any importance on the new drummer reproducing Nicko’s part exactly, whereas Rush are trying to preempt comparisons with her predecessor because Anika is a woman.
Rock Hard Germany No. 468
My Translation
Did she already know your repertoire?
GEDDY: “She’d only heard the song ‘Tom Sawyer’ and, of course, knew Neil - because basically every drummer has heard of Neil Peart...”
ALEX: “But she wasn’t a RUSH fan and didn’t know our songs. So she started from scratch and had to learn everything, which ultimately turned out to be a very positive thing. ”
I assume you were also looking for personal qualities - someone you’d get along with?
GEDDY: “Yes, and she’s fantastic. I’m teaching her how to speak Canadian English, and she’s teaching me German (laughs).”
You mean you’re teaching her to speak Canadian French?
GEDDY: “No.... No one can speak Canadian French except for
Quebecers (laughs). And that’s not French. Actually, we’re sort of learning to become compatriots.”
How much leeway will she have to adapt or reinterpret Neil’s parts?
GEDDY: “We’ll see, but for now she has to learn to play his parts exactly as they were recorded. That’s the starting point. Because
if the song doesn’t sound the way it’s supposed to, our fans will think we’re not keeping our promise to give them a RUSH concert. So it has to
sound like Neil Peart. As for the details, we can be more flexible.
Our fans often know our songs by heart, down to the smallest detail - especially the rhythm. That’s why they expect the specific drumming gimmicks that give our songs their identity and give them the chance to play air drums (laughs). And there are plenty of those! Over time, Anika will have the opportunity to bring her own style to the table wherever she feels it’s possible. But first, she has to master the composed material perfectly. She’s working very hard on that. We regularly spend just under a week together in Canada to rehearse a series of songs. Then she travels back to Germany and works on them there on her own before we meet up for a new rehearsal session.”
Without asking for names, I assume that well-known drummers have offered their services to you.
GEDDY: “I can confirm that (smiles).”
You’ve made a decision similar to Linkin Park’s, who replaced their late singer with a female vocalist. Is that also a way to
preempt the inevitable comparisons?
GEDDY: “ That’s exactly it. Even though it’s a coincidence, of course, because it was above all her playing that convinced us. But the fact that Anika is a woman is a very good thing. It helps make the transition easier.
Kalata
Out of the Silent Planet
Bruce and Steve about ''Infinite Dreams'':
I’ve got no fucking idea why it’s taken so long to get that back in the set. I suggested it, and Steve went, ‘Yeah, but that was really difficult song to sing back then.
It’s a bloody tough one, it goes bloody high. I wasn't sure about doing it, to be honest with you, because I thought maybe it would slow the set down. But Bruce wanted to have a go, to see if it still worked, and it sounded great.
I’ve got no fucking idea why it’s taken so long to get that back in the set. I suggested it, and Steve went, ‘Yeah, but that was really difficult song to sing back then.
It’s a bloody tough one, it goes bloody high. I wasn't sure about doing it, to be honest with you, because I thought maybe it would slow the set down. But Bruce wanted to have a go, to see if it still worked, and it sounded great.
I like Simon and the way they sound this year, but I would have found it completely sensational if Maiden had completely surprised the world with something like this Anika Nilles move.
Vaenyr
Ancient Mariner
Which is weird, since the very same setlist they are playing right now has multiple songs that are tougher to sing, yet those have been in multiple tours or are outright forever staples. Lesson learned: Don't assume things Steve, let Bruce decide what he's comfortable with. Get rid of Aces High though.
matic22
Ancient Mariner
Top level of seats seems pretty empty...
Vaenyr
Ancient Mariner
For whatever reason, Nintendo gets a ton of similar doom and gloom to the point that nintendoomed has become a meme:
We need a Maiden version of this gif.
I bet Mario and Luigi wouldn't have had empty seats on the upper level...For whatever reason, Nintendo gets a ton of similar doom and gloom to the point that nintendoomed has become a meme:
We need a Maiden version of this gif.
dickinson1978
Ancient Mariner
Azas
Rainbow's Gold
After this interview, I’m a little confused. Deeply confused, in fact.
So, Steve avoided Infinite Dreams for all these years because he felt it might slow the set down. We also remember that he had similar reservations about Flight of Icarus.
In light of that, let me ask the elephant-in-the-room question:
Sir, if that’s the case, then why does the majority of your post-reunion material - and, honestly, the trend already started in the '90s - feature slow intros and outros that inevitably slow the set down and affect the pacing of the live show?
Why the contradiction in your creative thinking?
Do you dislike slower songs from the '80s, yet have a soft spot for your post-reunion, misty-eyed darlings? Because something doesn’t quite add up here. The dots don’t connect.
#freeoriginalSteveHarris
srdjanslayer89
Prowler
Watched a couple videos from San Siro show, seems that there was no pyro at the show at all?
That answer confused me, too, because you always pick some songs that slow down the set, introduce a different tempo, a break -
only to pick up the pace again.
That’s perfectly normal, and I actually thought that Maiden (Bruce/Steve) saw it that way, too.
Spaldy
Ancient Mariner
Fozzie4
Nil satis nisi optimum
What a night last night, 2 legends together, San Siro and Iron Maiden. No point me rambling on it was just amazing, Bruce was on form , he even gave us an update on the England score. His held note on seventh son was incredible, even Adrian appeared to be looking at him wondering when it would end. The band had plenty of energy and fun and seemed happy to be in such an amazing setting playing their iconic songs. We got dragged in to a mosh pit during Fear which freaked out the Wife and my back is now telling me I am too old for. The San Siro shirt was sold out everywhere when we arrived at 6pm unfortunately. We saw the Ides of March tribute band at the dive bar on Tuesday night and they were great, 2+ hour set including Icarus, Alex, Deja Vu. Day of rest today , Up the Irons , the greatest band ever . 
