Like thousands of fans around the world, the Dream Theater drummer followed the band’s first concert of the Fifty Something Tour online, and what he witnessed left a lasting impression.
Portnoy shared an emotional reaction on Instagram after watching Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson perform together again on June 7 in Los Angeles, with German drummer Anika Nilles stepping into the role once occupied by the late Neil Peart. For Portnoy, whose admiration for Peart evolved into a personal friendship before the drummer’s death in 2020, the moment carried particular significance.
Mike Portnoy Says Rush’s Return “Needed to Happen”
Portnoy revealed that he spent the night following every moment of the band’s return from afar. “So many feelings and emotions today,” he wrote, explaining that he was “glued to YouTube all night long” while watching the RushCon livestream.
The drummer was particularly enthusiastic about the performance itself, calling the evening “magical” and declaring that “The setlist was absolutely PERFECT!!” He also expressed excitement about what’s still to come, noting that the group has “around three other variations up their sleeves.”
Much of his praise was reserved for Nilles, who took over the drum duties for the tour. “Anika absolutely KILLED IT in the best way imaginable,” Portnoy wrote, adding that he was thrilled to see her “nailing all of the big Neil moments with a giant smile on her face the whole time!” He then offered perhaps his strongest endorsement of the night, stating, “She really is the perfect choice for this!”
The concert’s tributes to Peart also left a lasting impression. Portnoy described them as “so tasteful and emotional” and openly admitted, “Yes I’ll admit I cried at a few points.” He also singled out the show’s technical side, calling the production “absolutely INSANE.”
For Portnoy, however, the most important part of the evening was seeing Lee and Lifeson back together onstage. “I am so happy for Geddy and Alex to be able to do this again,” he wrote. Looking at the broader significance of the tour, he added, “Seeing this tour come to life, it is very obvious this needed to happen,” before concluding that “Geddy and Alex deserve it. And the fans deserve it as well.”