Description
The “FIFTY SOMETHING Tour” by the revitalized RUSH continues its triumphant run, garnering worldwide acclaim. Now, a new “Master Collection” has arrived, featuring two superb audience recordings captured at a single show: the concert held in Chicago on July 16, 2026. This 5-disc set comprises three discs of pristine audio and two discs of full video footage. The very mention of a “FIFTY SOMETHING Tour 5-disc set” will likely ring a bell for many fans; this release serves as a follow-up to the highly acclaimed *KIA FORUM 2026* series. As with the previous installments, this is a magnificent production by the modern-day master taper known as “Tapehead2.” To get an overview of the series, let’s first take a broad look at the ongoing “FIFTY SOMETHING Tour.” March 29, 2026: Juno Awards appearance. “FIFTY SOMETHING Tour”: *June 7 *KIA FORUM 2026 1ST NIGHT* (5-disc set); *June 9 *KIA FORUM 2026 2ND NIGHT* (5-disc set); *June 11 *KIA FORUM 2026 3RD NIGHT* (5-disc set); *June 13 *KIA FORUM 2026 4TH NIGHT* (5-disc set); June 18–July 13 (6 shows); *July 16: Chicago show (Day 1) ← ★This Release★; July 18: Chicago show (Day 2); July 20: Chicago show (Day 3) >>We are here<<; July 22: Chicago show (Final day); July 28–Dec 17 (44 shows). 2027: Jan 15–Feb 4: South America (9 shows); Feb 19–Apr 10: Europe (21 shows). Discs 1–3: A miraculous sound that remains unshaken, even as the venue changes. This is the big picture of the ongoing “FIFTY SOMETHING Tour.” Following the four-night run at “The Forum”—which signaled their comeback—the tour moved from Mexico City to Fort Worth, with Chicago marking the fourth city. This release captures the first night of their four-night residency at the massive “United Center” arena. And present at this opening night in Chicago was “Tapehead2.” That master taper—who impressed collectors worldwide by recording all four nights at “The Forum”—was there to capture the entire event through both audio and video. As for the sound itself—the most crucial element—it is similar in character to the series’ *KIA FORUM 2026 2ND NIGHT* release. It is a superlative audio experience that achieves a high-level balance of vividness and punch. Geddy’s vocals are so close you can hear his very breath, while the bass hits you in the chest with the visceral growl of the strings. Alex’s guitar tone is razor-sharp in definition yet avoids any harsh rigidity. Annika’s snare makes the air crackle with every strike, and Lauren’s keyboards maintain a solid, distinct presence deep within the mix. While the crowd noise remains raw and immersive, the instruments themselves stand out in the foreground with uncanny clarity. That signature “Tapehead2” sound—that unique sonic signature—is reproduced here to perfection. You might expect a similar sound given it’s the same taper, but consider that this recording comes from the United Center—a venue completely different from the Kia Forum. With audience recordings, a change in venue usually means a total shift in acoustics and seating conditions; even a master taper often faces inconsistent results. Yet, Tapehead2 has managed to bring that miraculous quality intact to this new location, as if the venue change made no difference at all. Tapehead2 is undoubtedly a master at the pinnacle of the craft today… in fact, it is no exaggeration to call him the “Mike Millard of the modern era.” Discs 4–5: Spectacular footage offering everything from wide shots to extreme close-ups. The video component, also captured by Tapehead2, offers equally spectacular visuals. The camera captures the stage from a slightly elevated angle in the stands—positioned somewhat to the left (near Alex Lifeson)—with absolutely no obstructions in front; the view is filled entirely by the stage. Pulling the zoom all the way back captures the entire show in a single frame: the positions of the four musicians, the massive screen, and the lighting rig. It is a truly luxurious visual experience that allows you to take in the full scope of the new RUSH stage production. And the real highlight lies in the bold, dynamic use of the zoom. The footage is packed with scenes where the band members leap out to fill the entire screen, allowing you to savor every detail—Geddy’s fingertips, Alex’s expressions, and Anika’s stick work—in close-up. It seamlessly shifts between wide shots and tight close-ups, offering the best of both worlds: a comprehensive view and an intimate, focused gaze. What makes this truly exceptional, however, is that “Tapehead2” knows RUSH inside out. A die-hard fan who has filmed countless shows over the years, he fully understands exactly where the highlights occur in every song. That is why the camera is always perfectly positioned for those crucial moments. His knack for capturing every great scene in close-up is nothing short of a testament to his love for the band. This live album and spectacular video footage let you experience the full show from that historic opening night in Chicago. Let’s take a look at the setlist: *Permanent Waves*—Freewill / The Spirit of Radio / Natural Science; *Moving Pictures*—Limelight / Vital Signs / Red Barchetta / YYZ / Tom Sawyer; Others—70s: Xanadu / La Villa Strangiato / 2112 [Parts I, II, VII] / By-Tor and the Snow Dog / Working Man; 80s: Subdivisions / Distant Early Warning / Time Stand Still / Red Sector A; 90s and beyond: Far Cry / Bravado / Caravan / Dreamline / The Garden. In fact, the setlist for this night was identical to that of the tour’s very first show (the “Kia Forum 2026 1st Night”). It mirrors the content of that historic comeback—which broke an eleven-year silence—recreating the exact same flow: opening with the majestic “Xanadu” and racing to the finish with “Working Man.” Incidentally, this same setlist was also performed on the opening night in Fort Worth (June 26). This might be the setlist designated for the “first night of a four-show run” (though the Mexico City opener differed, suggesting it isn’t an absolute rule). Naturally, the tribute videos to Neil Peart, interspersed throughout the show, remain a key feature. Everything is included uncut, from the *South Park* skit preceding “Tom Sawyer” to the “Where’s Rush?” opening sequence. It has been about a month since the shocking comeback; this five-disc set offers a superb-quality, full experience of the 11th show, capturing a band that has honed its performance while maintaining the momentum of its full-scale restart. Captured entirely—both audio and video—by the renowned taper “Tapehead2,” this represents the pinnacle of the tour so far. It features a miraculous sound that remains unshaken despite the change in venue, alongside stunning visuals that could only be captured by someone who knows RUSH inside out. This is a five-disc audience recording set (audio plus full video) of the Chicago show on July 16, 2026 (the first night of that run). The live album portion, recorded by the master “Tapehead2,” is a world-class recording boasting both vivid clarity and punchy impact; that miraculous sound remains rock-solid regardless of the venue. The video portion also features superb camerawork by the same taper, seamlessly switching between full-stage views and daring, ultra-close-up zoom shots. The setlist is identical to that of the *KIA FORUM 2026 1ST NIGHT* release; the content of that historic opening night is brought back to life in Chicago. United Center, Chicago, IL, USA 16th July 2026 CD 1-3 01 Where’s Rush? 02 Xanadu 03 Limelight 04 Far Cry 05 Subdivisions 06 Freewill 07 Neil Peart tribute #1 08 Bravado 09 Caravan 10 La Villa Strangiato 11 Vital Signs 12 The Spirit of Radio 13 2112 (Part 1: Overture / Part II: The Temples of Syrinx / Part VII Grand Finale) 14 Distant Early Warning 15 Red Barchetta 16 Dreamline 17 Natural Science 18 Neil Peart tribute #2 19 Time Stand Still 20 Red Sector A 21 YYZ 22 The Garden 23 South Park intro 24 Tom Sawyer 25 By-Tor & The Snow Dog 26 Working Man 27 Neil Peart tribute #3 DVD 1-2 0:00:00 Intro sketch – Where’s Rush? 0:06:45 Xanadu 0:19:27 Limelight 0:24:05 Far Cry 0:29:41 Subdivisions 0:36:30 Freewill 0:42:00 Neil Peart tribute 0:43:21 Bravado 0:49:08 Caravan 0:55:01 La Villa Strangiato 1:05:47 Vital Signs 1:11:40 The Spirit of Radio 1:17:35 2112 (Part 1: Overture / Part II: The Temples of Syrinx / Part VII Grand Finale) 1:27:30 Distant Early Warning 1:33:39 Red Barchetta 1:40:28 Dreamline 1:45:40 Natural Science 1:54:05 Neil Peart tribute 1:55:15 Time Stand Still 2:00:48 Red Sector A 2:06:05 YYZ 2:11:16 The Garden 2:18:26 Tom Sawyer 2:26:00 By-Tor and the Snow Dog 2:30:55 Working Man 2:38:00 Neil Peart tribute COLOUR NTSC Approx.160min. Geddy Lee: Vocals, bass, keyboards Alex Lifeson: Guitar, vocals Anika Nilles: Drums Loren Gold: Keyboards, vocals
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