Rush fans now have the ultimate view of the band’s triumphant return. High-quality drum-cam footage from Anika Nilles’ very first concert with the legendary prog-rock icons has been released, giving everyone a front-row seat to her powerhouse performance.
The footage, captured by YouTube channel TapeheadToo during the June 7, 2026 opening night at LA’s Kia Forum, shows the full set from behind Anika’s kit. Despite the massive pressure of stepping into Neil Peart’s shoes, Nilles delivered a flawless, energetic performance that has fans raving.
The uploader wrote:
“I was only able to get a side stage seat… Side view full shows kind of suck so I decided to do an Anika cam. She absolutely killed it!”
The video includes the complete setlist with convenient timestamps, allowing fans to jump straight to standout moments like “Tom Sawyer,” “2112,” “Xanadu,” and “La Villa Strangiato.”
In a recent interview with Classic Rock magazine, Anika spoke about the challenge and honor of following in Peart’s footsteps:
“Neil’s playing was very energetic, and I really like that… He had an incredible range of tonal colors… He rarely repeated himself. He kept bringing something new into the song.”
This drum-cam footage is a dream come true for drummers and Rush fans alike. It offers a rare, intimate look at the technical brilliance and emotional weight Anika carried on opening night. Her performance wasn’t just accurate — it was inspired. Seeing her tackle Peart’s complex parts with such confidence and joy proves she was the perfect choice to help Rush move forward while honoring the past.
https://youtu.be/tsAgGYM8_-A
