Rush Time Machine Tour 2010

We saw two shows during our trip Scorpions Sting In the Tail Tour and Rush Time Machine.

 

We traveled to Mountain View, CA from Seattle to see Rush. Pretty good venue, amphitheater style, good sound, good atmosphere...would go there again.

 

Rush, what can you say....you certainly get all the value of your ticket at a Rush show. It was an Evening with Rush, so no opening act. Started off with a 5-6 minute intro video, "The real history of Rash".....Neil getting into the 'limelight' is a good thing, all 3 band members are in the video and as usual Alex is the most funny of them all. The video led right into The Spirit of Radio and from there a very good mix of 80's to current songs. It was good to hear songs like Time Stand Still, Leave That Thing Alone and Marathon....Workin Them Angels is quickly turning into a crowd favorite.

I have to say Brought Up to Believe (new song) kicked major rump live!! The boys tore through that song in a mean way.... After 11 songs they took a 30 minute break.....I think the whole crowd needed it, complete mayhem never stopped during those first 11 songs.

 

The Time Machine then began.....about 5 minutes left of the break a countup from 1974 to 1980 starts, then another video about 5-6 minutes which works into Tom Sawyer and the entire Moving Pictures album.....Flawlessly played and the highlight ofcourse was The Camera Eye...last time I heard that one live I think was Signals Tour.

Caravan, the other new song again played excellent live....I have not mentioned the video screen yet, it was amazing!! Like a huge HD jumbotron, picture was crystal clear....the accompanying video for Caravan was almost 3D like.

The new Peart solo "Love For Sale" was shorter, all Rhythm Method remnants are gone.....much more focus on jazz, fusion, noises, african and the nod to Buddy Rich at the end....very fresh.

New spins on Closer to the Heart and La Villa Strangiato were nice to hear....finishing with Working Man which sounded better than ever.

 

The stage setup was very cool, very heavy on the "steampunk" theme that Neil has talked about and also the look and feel of Jules Verne's submarine in 20,000 Leagues, which Neil has said was part of the inspiration for his new drum kit design...all copper and shinny. Geddy's amps, gafilter music machine, sausage maker and Alex's amps, were all retro designed, again very cool. Steam blowing out of the top all during the show from their amps and also pyro with an amazing amount of lights for this tour.......Again all adding up to just a great show for the ticket prices you pay these days, you are not short changed at a Rush show. Then after Geddy leaves the stage.......another very funny ending video gets played, about 10 minutes long featuring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel along with Geddy, Neil and Alex in a backstage scene.

 

I have to say Rush are simply getting better with age, especially their attention to detail on their live shows. Musically, they are playing better than ever live........Certainly the supporting tour next year for Clockwork Angels album will be a tour not to be missed

 

Here are some pics my wife took....enjoy.

 

 

 

Thanks....glad everyone enjoyed the pics and review.

 

Cheers!