RUSH IS A BAND

#1 - Posted 7/17/10 @9:49AM by exit...stage left [contact]

have fun and enjoy

#3 - Posted 7/17/10 @10:23AM by DistantEW [contact]

Will be there, third row. I will definitely get some pics!

#5 - Posted 7/17/10 @11:09AM by DanL [contact]

Will be there sec. 101 row 5 ! Cheers!!!

#7 - Posted 7/17/10 @11:50AM by limelighter [contact]

meet and greet wednesday and tonight again. life is good, especially playing hometown, best shows ever. period. the end.

#9 - Posted 7/17/10 @11:54AM by simon2112 [contact]

this will be my third show tonight! i am sad for this is my last one of the tour! but what a rush! (pardon the pun)

#11 - Posted 7/17/10 @1:33PM by Sirius [contact]

correction:the girl is 13 years old right now but 12 in the video

#13 - Posted 7/17/10 @3:41PM by kevin [contact]

#2 Saw them in Raleigh NC summer of 07', heat index was about 105 degrees. My t-shirt was basically a wet rag in 30 minutes.
It did cool off but I remember thinking how nice would a air conditioned venue feel right now...

#15 - Posted 7/17/10 @4:16PM by sixthofeleven

Second row in front of Lerxst tonight. Great to be in the homeland of our men from RUSH!!!

#17 - Posted 7/17/10 @5:33PM by Alexfan [contact]

I didn't realize that avatars were subject to copyright. :-)

#19 - Posted 7/17/10 @9:37PM by kevin [contact]

#16 Does it really matter? Its a freakin picture..

#21 - Posted 7/17/10 @10:16PM by Bulldog81 [contact]

TWENTY ONE!!! twelve..LOL

Good luck tonight to Geddy, Alex, and Neil.
Good Day!

#23 - Posted 7/17/10 @11:19PM by joerock213 [contact]

Why would you have the same pic as someone else? I'm representing t4e, the first tour I went to. The album is overlooked and underappreciated.

#25 - Posted 7/17/10 @11:50PM by D-Slam

Back from the show! (I don't live far away). My second Toronto show this week... it was definitely worth a second viewing. The light show was much more impressive this way.

There were some glaring technical problems during YYZ and Limelight, unfortunately. First, Neil's MidiKAT was only half-working during the YYZ intro (yikes!), then this HORRIBLE squealing noise started during the last half of the song. Al's guitar or amp was the cause? So, YYZ ends and he gets his Limelight guitar..... and it doesn't work either! (kept cutting out during the opening riff). Alex shot a VERY pissed off look stage right at his guitar tech. I felt like it took a couple of songs after that for the crowd to get the happy vibe back.

Other than that, very awesome show. I'm going to go deaf if I keep this up. I'd better give it a rest until 2011.

Oh, and Geddy closed out the show with an emphatic: "we WILL see you again", so we may assume that TO will be on the '11 leg. Huzzah!

#27 - Posted 7/17/10 @11:56PM by Lynn-2112 [contact]

#24 & #25 Wow. That's not good. Thanks for sharing even when it's bad news.

#29 - Posted 7/18/10 @12:11AM by D-Slam

The Molson show was not glitch free either (The v-drums on the right didn't work for some of the emphatic accents in Marathon and the kick drum failed completely at the end of the song (I think the mike fell off or something). I had a VERY good view of Neil from my excellent seats, and I could see every glitch.

A pattern is emerging here. They must be very pissed. It's hard to have a magic show when your equipment craps out on you.

Oh, by the way, the ACC looked very full to me.

#31 - Posted 7/18/10 @12:20AM by slappindabassmon [contact]

Number 30 - At both the Ottawa show and tonight`s show it did take a few songs afterwards for Alex to smile again and look relaxed, but he did. While the tech problems were going on, he was either gesturing or shouting offstage and staying close to his amps when he could. Tonight it was amazing to me that he could actually be playing Limelight full force, with the sound all screwy, and be communicating with the side of the stage at the same time.

#33 - Posted 7/18/10 @12:45AM by Sean

Alex has a new guitar tech this tour. He is Phil Collen's tech for Def Leppard Scott Appleton and he ain't all that good to be honest. Also, Rush were supposed to get back with National Sound and See Factor last tour and there were disagreements on who would run the boards and control the sound for the show.

Brad and Brent need to be dismissed from the audio department. They are horrendous and keep talking the band into sounding heavier and heavier. Rush's sound used to be about balance of heavy enough with plenty of finesse. That no longer exists.

The band needs to get back with the See Factor/National Sound combo, it is the only answer to the problems they have with loudness.

Side note. I heard Geddy was actually making comments as recently as a week ago about his ears feeling blown out after a show. It might explain why his voice has been off at more times than not. Try singing in the right tone or key that you think you are singing if your ears are distracted with high level noise.

#35 - Posted 7/18/10 @1:31AM by napper505 [contact]

Hey!

Took 2 of my kids (18 & 16) to the show and they loved it!
Except for the tech issues during Limelight and YYZ the show was pretty amazing. I found the first set louder than the second set. The sound was pretty damn good where we were sitting. (Sect 119 row 25).
Regarding the volume, I didn't think they were loud enough. After the July 2008 show at the Molson amph I was deaf for 3 days. p.s. You guys forgot to mention the time machine that showered Neil with CO2, The the techy dude had to it turn off for the remainder of the show.

I didn't realize Alex was playing PRS's again.

napper505

#37 - Posted 7/18/10 @1:43AM by TheDudes [contact]

I have heard that Brad has a new audio guy from the sound company and the guy is totally incompetent but got sent out cause he was cheaper and thats how they got the gig instead of See Factor. I don't think Brad was told the guy sucked.

#39 - Posted 7/18/10 @1:48AM by sixthofeleven

P.S. to my post #38 --- I was in second row and did not think it was too loud by any means. Since their debut album, the mantra is "For best results, play at maximum volume".

#41 - Posted 7/18/10 @2:19AM by random_sample [contact]

I was reading some comments above, about the sound problems at a few recent Rush shows and although I am no sound engineer, the feeling I get is that maybe Rush ,in the last few years has been getting too caught up in surrounding themselves with people who are new and maybe just plain old surrounding themselves with too much "technology" and gimmicky stuff. Not sure if anyone else agrees, but new technologies are NOT always better or best and probably not what they claim to be. That is why I, personally do not always jump at every new gadget,toy , new techno-thingy that comes out. I wonder if these sound problems and struggles Rush are having is a result of the above things and they are victims of going after "improvements" and changes that don't benefit, but actually hinder them. It seems to be the way technology is nowadays though. Most things become obsolete in a short time span, now. Maybe it's the same way ,when you are staging a show like Rush does and there are glitches with some of these new technological changes.

#43 - Posted 7/18/10 @2:53AM by brilondon [contact]

I just returned home, well to my partner's place where I am spending what is left of the night,and have to say that this was not one of their best shows. Technical glitches really killed the performance of YYZ for me and that carried on through to Limelight which did not get that awsome start I love so much. I wonder if their playing in their home town caused these glitches, putting the presure on to make a perfect performance and not just having fun at what they do best. Anyways the highlight for me was Camera Eye which was amazing and I hope that they can keep it going for the next tour, it was brilliant. My partner who was seeing Rush for the first time live actually seem to like Rush, she only recognized four songs, but was really into the drum solo and thought that the "jazz song" that Neil was playing to was one of the highlights for her. When I told her that he does a 10 minute dum solo, she thought I meant he would just play the drums for 10 minutes but she was surprised at Neil's performance which was top notch tonight as usual. Overall it was another great show but not the best I have come to expect from Rush.

#45 - Posted 7/18/10 @3:47AM by Dig It Al Man [contact]

I posted in the reviews section, but I need to post here as well, the negative aspects of the views tonight in my mind highlight the positive side, so what there were some glitches!

Yeah they are consummate professionals, yeah they are amazing at their craft, but they are after all at work, and work they did.
I just learned tonight on this forum that they have some new personnel and maybe they don't quite get it yet.

OK that explains the glitches, So what? It was one awesome show! Singing along to Closer To The Heart after a Neil solo at home...

Great Show

#47 - Posted 7/18/10 @9:06AM by Username [contact]

Going from sitting in section 302 at the Amphitheatre on Tuesday to Sec 118 last night at the ACC, I must say there was a profound improvement in sound quality for me. Apart from the hiccups that have been mentioned numerous times now this was an excellent show.

#49 - Posted 7/18/10 @9:54AM by D-Slam

@Dig It Al Man (45)... are you saying that the glaring sound and technical problems shouldn't be mentioned? What's the point of writing a review then? We should all just write: "ya man it was awesome!" Obviously we all love this band or we wouldn't be posting here.

I love YYZ. I love hearing it live, that's one of the highlights of the show for me. Having the worlds loudest feedback squeal like the damned from Hades over top of the last half of the song was a major disappointment.

A concert is a magic experience. Technical glitches destroy the magic, and without the magic it's all just sound and fury, signifying nothing.

(And yes, the band was absolutely and admirably professional about it, as you'd expect)

#51 - Posted 7/18/10 @10:23AM by Archimer [contact]

I just watched the YouTube video of "Workin' Them Angels" from Ottawa... Ouch! Poor Alex! He works well with these snags, though, and just keeps going.

What Rush does on stage must be immensely difficult. They are doing the work of three people PLUS at least a couple of tour musicians. You've got to applaud them for being so inventive.

I love the Steampunked-out dryers. Can't wait for September! :)

#53 - Posted 7/18/10 @12:41PM by AlexGedNeil [contact]

Most everytime I've seen Rush it has been flawless. But once I saw them play in Vancouver Canada during the Presto tour. During a couple songs, Alex's guitar cut in and out of the song during "2112 Part I: Overture", then during "In the Mood".

Alex was completely pissed, yelling at the guitar tech during both incidents and at one point shaking his guitar at the tech. The tech actually came out during the performance, plugging wires over his pedalboard as he was playing. It didn't fix the problem, which made Alex even more upset...

These incidents totally ruined the performance for me.

What can you do? shit happens. If you are a musician, this stuff happens sometimes...you can have the best crew, it will STILL HAPPEN..

#55 - Posted 7/18/10 @2:38PM by drmike [contact]

Neil had some trouble in Ottawa too. He pointed at one drum for 1/2 a second with both sticks and a tech came out to fix it. Can't remember what song that happened in.

I wonder if these problems are from the equipment getting wet in Chicago during the canceled show??

#57 - Posted 7/18/10 @4:07PM by dedlift [contact]

The technical issues must be very frustrating to each member of the band. Touring is the most profitable form of "their business" and when the product doesn't meet with their expectations (which I'm certain are very high)it has to drive them nuts.
Not only from a personal standpoint of perfection...but knowing the fans pay big bucks for tickets, shirts etc., parking, food & drink and in many cases travel I'm pretty sure the boys want to walk off stage every night knowing they produced the best product possible. Feedback, guitar and drum problems must borderline on the "unacceptable" to the band.
Here's hoping all gets ironed out and the remainder of the shows are trouble free.

#59 - Posted 7/18/10 @5:01PM by Sub-Xanadu Man [contact]

I can't remember Alex having this many issues in such quick succession during a tour. Of course stuff is going to happen from time to time but hopefully there will be less issues to arise from here on out.

Not sure what the status is in terms of his relationship with his tech or how much of it is his fault or just equipment issues beyond their control. I definitely feel bad for all of them when this stuff happens. I'm sure it's not a great feeling for anyone involved.

Would someone dump their tech in mid-tour in favor of someone else?

#61 - Posted 7/18/10 @6:04PM by Liverpool 78

Oh hello there world...

Off topic but there are two things on my mind.

Firstly, I'm sorry that some people going to see the show are having the experience marred by some techincal gliches (I'm sorry for Rush too), particularly for the likes of the poor guy above seeing Rush for the first time. I'm glad your enjoyment wasn't greatly spoiled by what happened BUT I'm glad that the glitches are happening now rather than next year on the world tour that I hope will include LIVERPOOL ECHO ARENA (if any of the three of you or your entourage are reading this - I'm sure the band must have someone monitoring the Blogs) PlEASE come to Liverpool, we have a brand new concert venue on the newly redeveloped beautifl waterfront - NEIL!!! you slept there one night in 2004 before riding off to beautifl Wales... sorry, I got carried away.

Secondly, I'm watching my just delivered, from Rounder Records, Blu ray version of R30. Hmmmmmm... picture quality just the same, audio quality just the same, full concert fantastic, but I'm not sure that it merited the cost

I wonder how many versions - cd, dvd, bluray,mp3 or otherwise - there will be of the first and second leg of this tour there will be? :-))

Hope you all had a nice weekend.

Liver.

#63 - Posted 7/18/10 @6:57PM by Liverpool 78

Oh hello there world again...

Also, regarding the R30 dvd/bluray, I'd like to add that I think sadly, they recorded the wrong show to put up for purchase. I was at the Manchester UK gig for that tour in 2004 and have a fantastic bootleg of the show. If you don't have it you should try and get a copy - go to DIMEADOZEN.COM for a great selection of audience recordings, even including last night's gig by now probably! :-)

They were absolutely on top form that night. Just listening to Alex's solo in Between the Wheels you can hear him nail every single note, even in the final creshendo. Even his 'rant' in La Villa Strangiato is top notch. At this stage of their career they should record and film everything that they do.

Liver.

#65 - Posted 7/18/10 @8:48PM by usb_connector [contact]

@Marcus: I believe he was reffering to me. I didn't mind the glitch as long as Tom Sawyer and 2112 weren't flawed. I've been a huge fan since 2006 but missed the Snakes and Arrows tour. It was actually the fact that Tom Sawyer was in Rock Band that got me into the band and it also inspired me to play drums.

Personally, one of my favourite parts of the show was the "truth behind moving pictures". I found it to be highly entertaining. The clips shown while they played Tom Sawyer just added to it.

There are just so many things that really struck me. These guys work hard to keep the crowd into the show.

#67 - Posted 7/18/10 @9:23PM by Lynn-2112 [contact]

Thanks jells.

#69 - Posted 7/18/10 @11:47PM by WorkingmanDc [contact]

To all who were at the show, how did the attendance look? What would you estimate? You figure it can hold about 16000 people with the end stage. How did the upper deck look?

#71 - Posted 7/19/10 @2:42AM by RushFanForever [contact]

Ed and his young son Zach were finally able to meet Alex and Geddy at the Toronto show.

#73 - Posted 7/19/10 @9:38AM by Rayzer2112 [contact]

Just a note about the Toronto crowd...I have been going to concerts in Toronto, mainly Rush but others as well, since '78. The one constant is the crowds here, they are subdued and totally oblivious to those around them. I have been fortunate to see Rush in many other towns and will say only this, don't waste your time and money to see them in Toronto. I have mentioned that to many here for years. The crowds in the US are always better. But the best place to go, IMHO, is Montreal. I have made the trek from Toronto to Montreal several times for Rush and have never been disappointed. I was saddened to not see Montreal on the list of tour stops and can only hope it will be on the list for next year.

So, having said that, other than the crowd and a couple of minor technical issues, the show was awesome. My partner had never been to a Rush show before, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so, that she would like to make the trek to Montreal journey next year.

Good to see you again as well Petie!!!!

PS. Getting to meet Sam Dunn before was excellent.

#75 - Posted 7/19/10 @11:31AM by shygnome

Anyone else see Terry Brown? He was standing in lower section 117 as we were leaving behind the crowd.

#77 - Posted 7/19/10 @2:07PM by YXEdigitalman [contact]

Hi Folks

Saw the gig on Sat night, great show and where I was the crowd was going nuts (Centre Floor Row 13). A few thoughts on some of the comments

1. Technical Problems. Yes they are annoying but not "train wrecks" as some people are far too quick to call em. A "train wreck" is when someone misplays, forgets lyrics etc. In my book, mechanical failings do not constitute a train wreck. Alex cleary has some issues with his tech that he has to sort out. I saw the boys on both legs of the S & A Tour and they played WAY better on the second leg, this is a long tour and it will take some time to get the train a rollin smoothly.

2. A Sense of Perspective. Thousands of people notice if one or two seconds out of a 3hour plus Rush show aren't absolutely perfect. Most bands on the planet don't even come REMOTELY CLOSE to that level of performance, deep breath everyone and admire their brilliance. Accent the positive!

3. Neil looking old, slowing down? Nope, hitting them harder than ever. My personal view is that those HD cameras and big screens are VERY revealing and they show every single blemish/grimace etc.

4. Sound Quality. In big arenas it always takes a few songs to get the sound right. Sound was generally v good where I was, although I will admit the Intro to Camera Eye wasn't loud enough!

5. Setlist. Interesting list, but some may not like this opinion, but it's clear to me that the newer stuff (S & A, Clockwork Angels) gets the boys energised in a way that the older stuff doesn't always do. If we want to them to keep touring they have to have their fun. BU2B was performance of the night for me, and I don't even like the song that much!

Now some other random thoughts (not designed to annoy just MHO).

1. Doing an entire album didn't work for me.

2.Technical probs made Alex grumpy, but I think the anger got channeled towards the end. His solos in La Villa and Working Man were insane, some of the best live work I have ever seen from Alex.

3. Ged's voice. Was worried during Time Stand Still but overall I think his voice was SENSATIONAL. He hit the notes in Free Will with ease and same with Temples of Syrinx, again best I have heard live from Ged.

4. Drum Solo. Not my fave, just didn't hold together well for me. Technically outstanding as usual, but not one of his best compositions.

5. Production values (big screen etc) were outstanding.

6. Video Outro was way too long.

7. $10 for a tall can of beer!!!

Sorry this was so long, but I loved the show as usual.

#79 - Posted 7/19/10 @3:38PM by guitarlb [contact]

From section 101, the sound was crystal clear and not as over-the-top loud as it was at MA. As stated elsewhere in this thread, I believe if you are in an audio sweetspot, the sound is great. S&A in London, Ont had brutal sound for me. I thought Alex had a sub-par night, but Geddy's bass was magnificent. What a treasure.
What I miss at a Rush show these days is the element if surprise as the internet is spoiling it. (Yes, I am aware of the irony)

#81 - Posted 7/19/10 @5:13PM by random_sample [contact]

It really baffles me when I read comments from people who somehow think they can "rate" what kind of a Rush fan someone is, by whether they like to sit to watch a Rush concert or if they stand. I dont get the logic, honestly.
Im a huge Rush fan and have been for years . Im not old, not crippled. I play hours of tennis, bike, work out every week- BUT...I like sitting to watch a Rush concert. So do many people. Ive been in sections where everyone is yelling for a group of 4-5 people who insist on standing ,right in front of a section of SITTING people. To me, that is the rude and inconsiderate thing, when people don't care if they block other's view of the stage, in a section that is meant for sitting.
If you want to stand...here's a tip. Get main floor tickets.

#83 - Posted 7/19/10 @7:59PM by Rsfumblin [contact]

I was by Jells #66 in Toronto on Sunday.

What seat...we actually could have reached over and handed Alex a PRS if he wanted a little more help.

I actually stopped watching Neil's solo in order to watch Alex light-up the guitar tech and security.

He was beyond pissed...and sorry, but he never recovered...

There were technical problems, but the tech left the Mandolin on stage after WTAngels and Alex had to kick it to get his attention.

The positives...the new stuff plays incredibly well live.

Camera's Eye ws another highlight... Especially, coming out of Limelight where (again) the guitar transaction was butchered.

I was very interested to read about he new crew. It's definitely showing...and Alex is still pissed.

Tonight better be clean...

Good meeting you Jells...53 shows btw us...hey and did anyone else see the Muslim Dr Superfan front and center? Must be nice.

#85 - Posted 7/20/10 @8:58AM by analog_kid [contact]

#77 - thanks for the perspective. I agree on every point you made! Couldn't have said it better myself.

#87 - Posted 7/20/10 @11:32PM by Mr. K

I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. I decided to fly to Toronto to see my favorite band play in their hometown. The night of the show as I was preparing to leave for the Air Canada Centre I met a couple of guys in the hotel elevator; one was from Seattle and one was from Chicago (not far from where I grew up). We talked about the band and where we'd come from (I'd flown up from Tampa). As we got off the elevator, "Seattle" asked where I was sitting. I told him my seat was 33rd row on the Alex's side of the stage. Then I was asked if I wanted to sit in the second row instead. As it turns out they had a friend who had to back out of the trip, and instead of trying to sell the extra ticket, they would see if they could find someone who was going to see the show by his or herself; if they met someone who seemed cool enough they'd make their night by giving them the ticket. Needless to say, I accepted the ticket and enjoyed the chance to watch Geddy Lee from less than 30 feet away. I decided that I should also try to make someone else's night a little better, so with just a few minutes to go before 8 p.m. I managed to find someone outside the ACC who needed a ticket and gave him my original ticket... it wouldn't have seemed like the right thing to just hang onto it. I hope he enjoyed the show as much as I did.

Thanks again to Mike and Joe for the ticket!

#89 - Posted 7/23/10 @10:41PM by jjckfc [contact]

Thanks - it's a Panasonic FZ35 - unfortunately it was new & I didn't have time to go over the settings before the show (rode my mc from VA to Toronto). Shot jpg vs RAW, didn't setup custom settings, etc. The originals look better than the re-sized ones posted on smugmug, but some of the shots still have too much noise. I've gone through the cam & expect to have much better shots at the VA show :)

All in all though, really happy with the capabilities. I shoot Canon DSLR's, but chose the Panny p&s based on reach & RAW. The Canon G11 is too short for most of what I shoot, otherwise I would ave bought that.