Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy recently reflected on Rush’s first official reunion show with new drummer Anika Nilles, sharing his support via his Instagram. The show took place at The Forum in Inglewood, California and marked a significant milestone in Rush’s history as the band returned to the stage with Nilles behind the kit, a role many had expected Portnoy to fill.
Before the kickoff, Portnoy took to social media to express his excitement and well-wishes for the band.
He said, “Tonight’s a big night in Rush history!! Best of luck to Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Anika Nilles, and Loren Gold for tonight’s tour kickoff in LA! The world will be watching and listening (no pressure really).”
He also expressed his eagerness to follow the tour and paid tribute to the late Neil Peart.
He continued, “Can’t wait to see reports of the setlist, watch clips on YouTube and catch a show sometime this summer! Make our brother Bubba proud. It’s been amazing!”
Portnoy had previously talked about not being offered the drummer role for Rush’s reunion. Despite being widely discussed as a potential candidate over the years, he revealed he had made peace with the outcome.
Portnoy said, “I mean, yeah, before they announced their return it’s a question that I would get asked in almost every single interview, you know for the last decade. But I’m, in all honesty, I’m kind of glad that they didn’t even ask me because that would be way too much pressure. Way too much pressure. So, it’s much better this way. I get to enjoy it like a fan.”
With the tour now officially underway, all eyes remain on Rush and Anika Nilles as they continue their run of live dates this summer.
Mitch Lafon posted a picture of Rush using a teleprompter during the show. He wrote, “A couple years back, there was a huge online “controversy” because somebody spotted a Teleprompter being used by Axl Rose. Well, here’s Rush using one last night. No controversy. Why? Because it’s an industry standard. The Axl controversy of two years ago was such a nonsense.”
A couple years back, there was a huge online “controversy” because somebody spotted a Teleprompter being used by Axl Rose…
Well, here’s Rush using one last night. No controversy. Why? Because it’s an industry standard.
The Axl controversy of two years ago was such a… pic.twitter.com/dWwzbFEkPp
— Mitch Lafon (@mitchlafon) June 8, 2026
The Forum in Inglewood carries a particularly emotional weight for Rush fans, as it was the last venue where the band performed with Neil Peart before his passing in January 2020. The choice to open the reunion run at the same location adds a layer of symbolic significance to an already historic occasion.
Rush’s current outing — dubbed the “Fifty Something Tour” — marks the band’s first tour in eleven years and their first since the passing of legendary drummer Neil Peart in 2020. The tour represents not only a musical comeback but also an emotional reckoning for a band that spent years uncertain whether they would ever perform again.
