UPDATE - 8/8@12:07AM: One down, three to go in YYZ! Rush played their Alpha setlist as expected - specifically version A-2 - which included Headlong Flight in place of Caravan (A-1). But the BIG surprise was the return of Aimee Mann on backing vocals for Time Stand Still. We were hoping she'd show up due to them filming the shows, and we were not disappointed. They'll be back at it Sunday night. Full setlist here.
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Date/Time: Friday, August 7th @ 7:45PM
Show Number: 19
Venue: Scotiabank Arena
Place: Toronto, ON
Setlist: View
Photos: TBD
Reviews: TBD
Rush homecoming weekend starts tonight, where Rush will kick off their final 4-show run of their Fifty Something tour tonight at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena. Fans going to any of the 4 shows will be caught in the camera eye as yesterday the band announced that they'll be filming all 4 shows for a future release.
... Geddy Lee commented: "It's always a hard decision as to where to film a live concert. Given the limited cities we are able to play, the demand for such a film has been off the charts, not only as a keepsake of their experience, but for those many fans that have not been able to see it live. Toronto being hometown made it a natural choice, and being the last mini-residency of four shows, playing over 40 songs which gives us the best chance to capture it all.
"We know there are fans traveling here from all across the globe and that will make it a special week," he continued. "This tour, being a celebration of our history and a tribute to [late RUSH drummer] Neil [Peart] has been an emotional outpouring from the fans and from us. They have been louder and prouder than ever before, and we hope to capture them letting their ya-yas out while rockin' their best 'Tom Sawyer' air drum fills!" ...
Singer Aimee Mann performed backup on Time Stand Still for all 4 LA shows, and following the show she mentioned in an interview that she'd likely be doing some more shows - particularly in Cleveland where she said the band had planned on doing some filming. Filming in Cleveland might have been the original plan, but apparently no longer, and this makes it a good bet that Aimee Mann will be on hand for at least one of the Toronto shows in order to capture her performance on film. Outside of that, we're expecting the standard night 1 Alpha setlist or a variation on that. Just like for all their tour stops so far, Rush has a line of Toronto-exclusive merch which fans can purchase at the venue or at the pop-up shop at Henderson brewery.
Doors for tonight's show open at 6:30 and the show will start at 7:45 (according to an email from Scotiabank Arena). We'll be attending the show tonight, so we most likely won't be able to update this thread in real-time throughout the show. I'll instead be posting any updates to social media, so be sure to follow RIAB on Instagram, Facebook and other channels to get all the updates. If you are going to the show, be sure to bring the energy and make a lot of noise for the film crews. Rush!!!!
