RUSH bring their Time Machine tour to Vancouver

Walking up to the front gates of Rogers Arena was reminiscent of concerts past when RUSH was just breaking into the music scene

...only this time, instead of large groups of teenagers line up to get in, it was largely an older crowd of rockers from the 70s and they'd brought their sons and daughters. It was great to see them sharing in something that obviously had been a big part of their lives.

The arena quickly filled and we were ushered to the front of the stage to grab a couple of photos for the articles we were to write. It was clear we were in for an interesting evening. Huge black blankets covered stage props from view and there was a series of futuristic looking gadgets at the right of the stage.

The lights went down, the crowd jumped up, the blankets were removed, and the big screen behind the stage lit up with a film of the band in costume acting out scene one of the show and introducing the first song.

(recognize the man in the police hat? You guessed it, Tom Hanks)

There was a vast array of original films, animation, vintage film clips, and visual effects that accompanied each song. The set up was well thought out and the visuals were so large and clear it really didn't matter where you were sitting.

Neil Peart's double revolving drum set was elaborate and huge and set on a platform between two large sets of “time machines” that mirrored the visuals on screen. Large labels reading Real Time, Half Time, Bass Time, and Sausage Time were etched across the time machine to the right.

As the first film peeked the band burst onto the stage melding songs from past records with new ones from their new, yet to be released album. Geddy Lee's voice was as strong as it's ever been and he moved effortlessly between the bass and keyboards all the while energetically travelling back and forth across the stage.

(Just six of Lee's Fender guitars)

Alex Lifeson treated us to some guitar work that stole the show at times and revved up the crowd and Peart later took centre stage with an extended solo that went straight in to the unforgettable Closer to the Heart.

That brought the crowd to their feet in an enormous unified wave. Everyone knew the words to the song and the arena was filled with the echo of their voices and the sway of their lighters in the dark.

There was so much appreciation for this band it was heart warming. The fans were energized, positive, and loyal. People around us took every opportunity between songs to talk about how much they were enjoying the show. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters: they were all having a fantastic time.

At times the pyrotechnics were so intense the heat could be felt quite forcefully half way across the arena. The show, with the exception of the short intermission, was non stop entertainment that kept the audience glued to the stage.

Later, as we filed out of the arena, it was surprising to reflect on how many of the songs we knew by heart. I guess we hadn't realized how much impact this band had had on our lives over the years. RUSH is clearly a huge part of Canadian history and culture. If you can catch this amazing band at some point in their tour, you won't be disappointed. It's definitely a trip worth taking. And bring your kids: the legacy continues.