Rush Setlist 2026: Complete Song List & Average Concert Setlist

Key Highlights:

Progressive Rock Legends: Rush concerts showcased world-class musicianship, combining progressive rock, hard rock, heavy metal, and synth-driven classics into unforgettable live performances.
Epic Two-Set Performances: During their later tours, Rush typically performed 24 to 28 songs across two sets with a brief intermission, creating concerts that lasted nearly three hours.
Signature Live Favorites: Songs like “Tom Sawyer,” “The Spirit of Radio,” “Limelight,” “Subdivisions,” “YYZ,” and selections from “2112” were among the band’s most frequently performed live.
Varied Setlists: Rush regularly rotated songs between shows, mixing classic hits with fan-favorite deep cuts to give returning fans a unique experience.

A Rush concert was a celebration of technical excellence, musical creativity, and decades of progressive rock history. Featuring bassist and vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer Neil Peart, the Canadian trio earned a reputation as one of the greatest live bands in rock.

Their concerts combined complex musicianship with large-scale production, balancing radio favorites with ambitious progressive compositions. Rather than relying on backing tracks, Rush performed intricate keyboard parts, guitar effects, electronic percussion, and layered arrangements live, making every performance a showcase of remarkable musicianship.

Quick Information

Information	Details
Artist	Rush
Genre	Progressive Rock / Hard Rock / Heavy Metal / Synth Rock
Typical Concert Length	2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours (including intermission)
Average Number of Songs	24–28 songs
Common Opening Songs	“Subdivisions,” “Far Cry,” “Limelight,” “Animate,” “The Spirit of Radio”
Common Encore Songs	“2112 (Overture / The Temples of Syrinx),” “Working Man,” “La Villa Strangiato”
Signature Closing Songs	“2112: Grand Finale,” “Working Man,” “In the Mood”

Rush Typical Setlist

Below is a representative Rush setlist. Songs and running order varied throughout different tours.

Set One

“Subdivisions”
“The Big Money”
“Force Ten”
“Grand Designs”
“Limelight”
“Territories”
“The Analog Kid”
“Where’s My Thing?”
Drum Solo
“Far Cry”

Set Two

“Caravan”
“Clockwork Angels”
“The Anarchist”
“Carnies”
“Headlong Flight”
“The Garden”
“Seven Cities of Gold”
“YYZ”
“The Spirit of Radio”

Encore

“Tom Sawyer”
“2112: Overture”
“The Temples of Syrinx”
“2112: Grand Finale”

Most Frequently Performed Songs

Several songs became permanent highlights of Rush concerts throughout the band’s career.

“Tom Sawyer” — Rush’s signature anthem featuring one of rock’s most recognizable keyboard riffs.
“The Spirit of Radio” — A fan favorite known for its energetic guitar work and audience singalongs.
“Limelight” — A concert staple showcasing Alex Lifeson’s memorable guitar solo.
“Subdivisions” — One of the defining songs from Rush’s synthesizer era.
“YYZ” — The band’s legendary instrumental that highlights the technical brilliance of all three musicians.
“Closer to the Heart” — A melodic classic that consistently inspired crowd participation.

Opening Songs

Rush often opened concerts with energetic songs that immediately showcased the band’s musicianship.

Common Openers

“Subdivisions” — One of the most recognizable openings from the band’s later tours.
“Far Cry” — A powerful modern-era opener with explosive energy.
“Animate” — A driving rock track that established the night’s momentum.
“Limelight” — A familiar favorite that immediately connected with audiences.

Encore Songs

Rush typically closed concerts with some of their biggest and most beloved songs.

“Tom Sawyer” — A nearly essential encore performance.
“2112 (Overture / The Temples of Syrinx)” — A progressive rock masterpiece frequently saved for the finale.
“Working Man” — An early classic that often featured extended instrumental jams.
“La Villa Strangiato” — A celebrated instrumental favorite on selected tours.

Closing Songs

Rush concerts usually ended with songs that showcased the band’s progressive rock legacy.

“2112: Grand Finale” — A dramatic ending to one of the band’s most iconic compositions.
“Working Man” — A powerful closer that celebrated Rush’s early hard rock roots.
“In the Mood” — Occasionally appeared as a nostalgic farewell during earlier tours.

Concert Experience

Length & Structure

Many Rush headline shows lasted nearly three hours and followed the famous “An Evening with Rush” format, featuring two full sets separated by a short intermission.

Stage Production

Rush combined impressive lighting, massive video screens, lasers, humorous video segments, and elaborate stage props throughout their tours. The band’s productions evolved over the years while always keeping the focus on the music.

Musicianship

Every member played multiple instruments throughout the performance. Geddy Lee frequently switched between bass, keyboards, synthesizers, and foot pedals, while Neil Peart’s legendary drum performances became one of the most anticipated moments of every concert.

Songs That Sometimes Appear

Rush’s extensive catalog allowed the band to rotate fan favorites throughout each tour.

“Xanadu” — A progressive epic featuring double-neck guitars and elaborate arrangements.
“Natural Science” — A complex multi-part composition popular with longtime fans.
“Jacob’s Ladder” — A rarely performed progressive classic.
“The Camera Eye” — An extended fan favorite that occasionally returned during special tours.
“Losing It” — A rare performance that became one of the band’s most celebrated deep cuts.

Signature Live Moments

Rush concerts featured several unforgettable moments.

Neil Peart’s Drum Solo became one of the defining live drum performances in rock history.
“YYZ” showcased the trio’s extraordinary instrumental precision.
“Tom Sawyer” consistently produced one of the loudest audience reactions of the night.
“2112” transformed the arena into a progressive rock spectacle with dramatic visuals and extended instrumental passages.

Why the Setlist Changed

Rush regularly adjusted their concerts throughout each tour.

Song Rotation: Multiple songs rotated between consecutive performances.
Career-Spanning Catalog: Different tours highlighted different eras of the band’s four-decade career.
Tour Theme: Anniversary tours often emphasized specific albums or classic progressive suites.
Performance Balance: Songs were arranged to balance demanding vocal parts with lengthy instrumental sections.

Frequently Asked Questions

What songs did Rush usually perform live?

Rush regularly performed classics including “Tom Sawyer,” “The Spirit of Radio,” “Limelight,” “Subdivisions,” “YYZ,” “Closer to the Heart,” and selections from “2112.”

How long was a typical Rush concert?

Most Rush headline concerts lasted 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours, including an intermission.

How many songs were in a Rush setlist?

A typical Rush setlist featured 24 to 28 songs spread across two sets and an encore.

Did Rush perform an encore?

Yes. Most headline shows concluded with an encore featuring classics such as “Tom Sawyer,” “Working Man,” or parts of “2112.”

What song usually opened a Rush concert?

Common opening songs included “Subdivisions,” “Far Cry,” “Animate,” and “Limelight.”

What song usually closed a Rush concert?

“2112: Grand Finale” and “Working Man” were among the band’s most common closing songs.

Did Rush change the setlist between shows?

Yes. Rush frequently rotated songs between performances, especially during multi-night runs, allowing fans to hear different combinations of classics and deep cuts.

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