RUSH live. Wow, what a show and production. Without a new album to speak of this summer, Canada's pre-eminent rock trio is touring on the strength of one from three decades ago. They played Moving Pictures in its entirety, plus two new tracks from their next studio album Clockwork Angels to be released next year. They call this past-meets-present presentation "Time Machine Tour" which brings us to the opening of the show. A comedy vignette on the screen has the three band members dressed in costumes, Geddy Lee as a moustached sausage-maker, Alex Lifeson as an obese band manager, and Neil Peart as a traffic cop. The setting is a deli and a young kid band is playing "The Spirit Of Radio" when the lights come up and BAM, RUSH is onstage opening with the same song. Next, “Time Stands Still,” “Presto” (my favorite Rush album and tour), "Stick It Out," "Workin' Them Angels," "Leave That Thing Alone" and "Faithless" before Lee takes his first break to address the crowd. "Hello Philly, everybody doing ok tonight? It's pretty hot and sticky tonight, which makes the music sound better - hot n sticky!" Up next, "Brought Up To Believe," the first of two new songs off their upcoming album, which drew a nice response from the crowd as RUSH ramped things up with "Freewill," "Marathon" and "Subdivisions" guaranteeing everyone was up on their feet, air-guitaring, drumming, and singing at the top of their lungs. Then Lee said to the crowd, "We're a little older now and have to take a short break, but we'll be back with a lot more."
        After a 30-minute break, the video screen projected another hilarious film of the band "in character" including Lee looking very Andy Warhol-esque, joking about German barmaids carrying pitchers of beer on trays, walking back and forth in front of him and then he said, "Stop moving pitchers" as RUSH kicked into their most famous album, playing every song non-stop and in sequence: "Tom Sawyer," "Red Barchetta," "YYZ," "Limelight," "The Camera Eye," "Witch Hunt" and "Vital Signs." After that VERY impressive performance of an entire album, they told the crowd they prefer playing live. Then came the second new song of the night, "Caravan," with pryrotechnics, bursts of fire coming up from the stage as Lee and Lifeson left Peart alone onstage for his always famous drum solo to end the song. I've seen him many times and he always has two kits on his pedestal, playing one kit, before making a 180-degree turn and playing another kit. I actually clocked him this night. He started at 10:09 and didn't stop til 10:18, and I mean he DID NOT STOP! I have said, and always will say, there's not a better drummer out there to this day that can match him. As Peart walked offstage for a much needed break, Lifeson came on, sitting in a chair, and played a 12-string acoustic solo that led into "Closer to the Heart," when Lee and Peart returned as Lifeson switched to electric guitar to close their second set with "2112 (Overture/Temples of Syrinx)" and "Far Cry."
        After a short break, Rush returned for their encore and opened with "La Villa Strangiato" which, like the rest of the show, was played perfectly. They ended the night with "Working Man," the song that got them on the radio and remains an anthem for many. This was one terrific show, lasting almost two and a half hours. Not bad considering other bands touring now. If you're interested, RUSH has a few shows nearby in late August so check them out at www.rush.com and remember their recently released award-winning documentary on DVD and Blu-ray called "RUSH: Beyond The Lighted Stage." To view more pictures of this show go to www.coconuttimes.com
– Gary Crouthamel, concert photo journalist