Friends of mine will know that I have a small
admiration for Canada’s finest power trio and, coming on the back of a magical
three day visit to Venice, this was the perfect end to a spectacular few days.
When Rush announced their UK dates almost a year ago, the cost of the ticket
made me think twice if not three times before committing. However, as always,
when the house lights dimmed and the anticipation rose, that dithering about
whether or not to buy a ticket was dispelled immediately.
As the band headed on stage to a huge ovation
(let’s face it they could fart Spirit of Radio and we’d love it) I
realised once again that despite all their critics, this is one band who rarely
play it safe. Opening with Subdivisions from Signals, the first
part of the set was heavily based on the synthesiser era of the 1980s. Four
tracks from Power Windows including the brilliant Grand Designs
and Territories, two from Signals (Subdivisions and The
Analog Kid) and another from Hold Your Fire (Force Ten)
indicated that this was not going to be a greatest hits show (that was on the
30th Anniversary tour). The first drum solo crashed in during the
instrumental Where’s My Thing and the first set wrapped up nicely with Far
Cry from the previous album Snakes and Arrows. As usual, there was
plenty to keep you occupied; constant video backdrop changes, cartoons and
close ups of the band in action, overhead shots of the Professor at work and
random popcorn machines at the edge of the stage. These guys don’t lack humour,
as demonstrated in the intro video and also at the start and end of the second
half. Anyone who has seen the quite brilliant Beyond the Lighted Stage will
appreciate that for all their professionalism, Rush really don’t take
themselves too seriously. However, in terms of the quality of their music, they
really are the most consummate professionals. Thunderous bass lines and ear
splitting lead breaks make Rush a much heavier proposition live.
The second set started with the arrival of the
Clockwork Angels String Ensemble, who proceeded to enhance nine songs from the
2012 album Clockwork Angels with an orchestral style. Remember what I said
about playing it safe? Not this band. Not only did they play nine songs from a
new album, but they rearranged Dreamline, Red Sector A and
unbelievably YYZ to incorporate the violins, violas and cellos.
That’s right, YYZ, the air drummer’s dream. Played with strings!!
This time I only counted three full air drummers and no-one throwing and
catching the imaginary stick which happened on the last tour, I kid you not.
Rush closed with The Spirit of Radio which tore the roof off the LG,
everyone singing alone with Geddy whose voice remains incredibly strong and
able to hit all the notes (unlike a certain Snake). (Now, now! M) To
complete the evening, we were treated to Tom Sawyer and then 2112,
Parts I, II and VII. Three hours of the highest quality
music, lighting, sound and overall entertainment. The comments made by
Geddy at the end of the gig suggested strongly that nights like these will
become much rarer in the future and once again I felt extremely privileged to
have seen them again. Fingers crossed that they do cross the water again one
day. It may well be the last chance and if so, I’ll finally realise my ambition
to follow them around the UK. 10/10 (Sorry Matt, no surprise there!!)
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