Rush drummer Anika Nilles reveals which song she’d like to add to the band’s setlist
Author Benedetta Baldin - 8.11.2026
Rush drummer Anika Nilles has revealed the song she would most like to add to the band’s live set: “Kid Gloves”, a deep cut from the Canadian trio’s 1984 album “Grace Under Pressure”.
A long-absent Rush song
In a new interview with USA Today, Nilles said she had already raised the idea with bassist and singer Geddy Lee. She explained that she enjoys playing the song privately because of its grooves, development and harmonies.
Nilles joined Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson for the band’s “Fifty Something” reunion tour, stepping into the role previously held by Neil Peart, who died in 2020.
“Kid Gloves” was a regular feature of Rush‘s 1984 performances but has not appeared in the band’s live set for decades. Its return would therefore be a notable surprise for longtime fans.
Nilles has spoken warmly about the support she has received from Lee and Lifeson as she learns and performs the group’s demanding catalog.
I told Geddy, if I can ever have a wish list song, can we do that one? And he was like, ‘Oh, that’s interesting,’ I play it a little bit in the dressing room just for fun. I love the grooves, the buildup and everything. I love the harmonies and the vibe.
The musicians are also preparing for a five-show “Elevate From the Norm” residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, scheduled for May 21, 23, 26, 28 and 30, 2027. Nilles said the venue is an exciting prospect after seeing footage of other artists’ productions there.
There is no confirmation that “Kid Gloves” will be added to the setlist, but the drummer’s enthusiasm has given fans another possibility to hope for.
Upcoming shows:
- Monday, November 09, 2026 – Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL, US
- Wednesday, November 11, 2026 – Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL, US
- Sunday, November 15, 2026 – PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, US
- Friday, November 20, 2026 – Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC, US
- Sunday, November 22, 2026 – Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC, US
- Wednesday, November 25, 2026 – State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA, US
- Friday, November 27, 2026 – State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA, US
- Tuesday, December 01, 2026 – Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, AZ, US
- Thursday, December 03, 2026 – Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, AZ, US
- Sunday, December 06, 2026 – SAP Center, San Jose, CA, US
- Thursday, December 10, 2026 – Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Saturday, December 12, 2026 – Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Tuesday, December 15, 2026 – Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Thursday, December 17, 2026 – Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Friday, January 15, 2027 – Movistar Arena, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Friday, January 22, 2027 – Arena da Baixada, Curitiba, Brazil
- Sunday, January 24, 2027 – Allianz Parque, São Paulo, Brazil
- Saturday, January 30, 2027 – Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos Engenhão, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Monday, February 01, 2027 – Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Thursday, February 04, 2027 – Arena BRB Mané Garrincha, Brasília, Brazil
- Friday, February 19, 2027 – La Défense Arena, Paris, France
- Sunday, February 21, 2027 – Uber Arena, Berlin, Germany
- Tuesday, February 23, 2027 – Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Thursday, February 25, 2027 – Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany
- Sunday, February 28, 2027 – LANXESS Arena, Cologne, Germany
- Tuesday, March 02, 2027 – Barclays Arena, Hamburg, Germany
- Thursday, March 04, 2027 – Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle, Stuttgart, Germany
- Monday, March 08, 2027 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK
- Thursday, March 12, 2027 – Co-op Live, Manchester, UK
- Monday, March 16, 2027 – O2 Arena, London, UK
- Thursday, March 18, 2027 – O2 Arena, London, UK
- Friday, March 27, 2027 – TAURON Arena Kraków, Krakow, Poland
- Monday, March 30, 2027 – Unipol Dome, Milan, Italy
- Thursday, April 01, 2027 – St. Jakobshalle Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Sunday, April 04, 2027 – Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Monday, April 06, 2027 – Unity Arena, Oslo, Norway
- Wednesday, April 08, 2027 – Avicii Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
- Friday, April 10, 2027 – Veikkaus Arena, Helsinki, Finland
- May 21, 2027 – Las Vegas, NV – Sphere
- May 23, 2027 – Las Vegas, NV – Sphere
- May 26, 2027 – Las Vegas, NV – Sphere
- May 28, 2027 – Las Vegas, NV – Sphere
- May 30, 2027 – Las Vegas, NV – Sphere
