Concert review: Rush, June 3, Idaho Center

When the opening notes of “Tom Sawyer” descended like a UFO landing on the Idaho Center, a shudder coursed down the spine of the darkened arena.

During moments like this, Rush lived up to its name.

In its first Treasure Valley appearance in more than a decade, the Canadian power trio delivered a marathon concert — two sets that lasted more than three hours on its “Snakes & Arrows” tour.

The rich sound created by three men was awesome to experience. Not only was Rush’s immensity near-breathtaking, but the band executed its ambitious music with CD perfection. These were true musicians.

Geddy Lee became giddy Lee as he tore effortlessly through intricate bass lines. Grinning Alex Lifeson, dressed like a friendly professor in a dark sport coat, alternately uncorked fluid guitar leads and bursts of shredding. He crafted melodies like a surgeon, making careful cuts while Lee sang and squealed through favorites such as “Subdivisions” and “Red Barchetta.” Drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, one of rock’s most influential players, maintained his legend status with half-circle runs behind an elaborate kit.

For all of progressive-rock’s potential pomposity, Rush deserves credit for not taking itself too seriously. Comedic videos starring band members, “South Park” characters and Bob and Doug McKenzie kept things light even when the music was bludgeoningly heavy.

Yet Peart rarely smiled, as if being an amazing drummer was somehow a grim undertaking. (Maybe he wasn’t feeling well?) Nevertheless, Peart’s trademark solo was well-structured, showcasing his dazzling diversity. It also was modestly short.

When a band sets the bar as high as Rush has for more than three decades, you expect, perhaps unfairly, a near out-of-body experience. It happened — sometimes. Rush’s pyrotechnics and green lasers were cool but, to compare, not Tool. And by set list, Rush means “set” in stone. If you bothered to check, you already knew that “Working Man” wouldn’t be played. As technically proficient as Rush is, improvisation isn’t its strong suit. Something as simple and current as a 5-second tribute to Bo Diddley would have sparked magic. Plus, Lee and Lifeson often seemed tethered to their sides of the stage.

Still, this was a great show for Rush fans, who stood and cheered enthusiastically. If the long second set might have initially seemed aimed at diehards, even casual listeners had to be floored as the evening neared its colossal end: familiar staples such as “The Spirit of Radio,” “2112,” “Tom Sawyer,” “A Passage to Bangkok” and “YYZ.” Rush nailed them all.

Sadly, arena rock is becoming an extinct art form. As long as Rush exists, it will not die — even if only about 5,500 fans showed up to see it in an arena that holds nearly twice that.

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UPDATE: View a photo slideshow from the concert here.

thoughts

" . . . were true musicians"? ARE true musicians.

Also, Peart has never been a joke-y guy while playing - pretty much keeps that serious demeanor. I've seen shows where he just leaves the stage after a set without even a crowd acknowledgement. He's not comfortable with the fame - see "Limelight". BUT - considering the short movie clips and the final outro clip he clearly has a sense of humor.

So some cats did a CGI of him on the lake drumming in YYZ?

and some would not think he's not any fun?

So fill me in on something

Because that was my first time at the Idaho Center. Is that the typical crowd size for arena-rock shows there these days? Or was that an abnormally poor showing? I wasn't at all expecting the entire upper level to be cordoned off. Sure, I gladly accepted that upgrade in seating. But I don't expect them to ever come through town again after that turnout. I do think the cheap seats are pricey, and I had to ponder for a sec if I wanted to spend the cash. But I do feel the need while living here to support any of the popular bands/artists I like that do decide to stop by here.

I don't think Neil was sick. He's always been unanimated. And as the years and tours progressed, his drum solos have gotten shorter and less frenetic, concerning himself more with texture and variety than speed. The only time he truly looked animated was during that little Buddy Rich vamp during the solo. He needs to start a jazz or swing band.

And no parking fees or patdown/metal-detector probing by the security guards?! Man, you don't know how good you have it here.

Buddy Rich

Check out the "Burning For Buddy" CD volumes - a collection of jazz/rock/heavy metal drummers sitting in with Buddy's old band playing their songs, led by Neil Peart.

Poor turnout

Don't know why, but it was an abnormally poor turnout. Maybe it was the price or maybe just the time of year, but there were a lot fewer people than I would have expected.

I wonder how many will show up for Boston next month?

Rush is lame

That poor turn out was probably more due to the fact that Rush is kinda lame and they are from Canada. I have seen Aerosmith, Boston, The Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac at the Idaho Center all in the past 5 or 6 years and it was a packed house for almost all of those shows. Ruch is just boring and have no business charging what they did for tickets.

Lame????

Lame, eh? You must not have been there! Anything but 'lame.' That was my first time seeing Rush, and I would go again in a heartbeat!! One of the greatest bands still producing real music....Ain't nuthin' like a power trio from Canada!! Triumph, anyone??

And you................

have no business criticizing one of the greatest bands in the world. You probably have tickets to Boston don't you? Now THAT'S lame.

Do you still even perform?

Jeebus Criminy this smells like egg farts.

Vocals

I'm glad the band put on a good show for their dedicated fans.

I've never been one - couldn't get past Geddy's singing. (Alvin on acid? haha) But they're obviously gifted musicians.

not a poor showing

I think the turnout was exactly what RUSH expected. I have seen them twice in SLC and the crowd wasn't a whole lot bigger. But as I watched the show last night, I kept thinking how happy I was to see them here in Boise! I was surprised they didn't play the amphitheater just outside.

Like many of the fans at the show, I have been listening to RUSH since the 70's and have now introduced my kids to the band. I would gladly pay more money to see them in a smaller, better sounding venue.

Can you believe the guys have been playing shows for 34+ years and still get along and sound great.

Nice job RUSH, thanks for coming here!

Attendance was about what I expected

I saw them play Salt Lake last August. It was a sold out show of 20,000. The attendance last night was definitely lean in comparison. More people would have been nice and might encourage a return visit sooner then later. I did like how they effectively reduced the size of the venue to at least make it seem fuller.

It's very cool that they finally played here again. My thanks for an awesome show as well!

-A

How come?

All the pix in the gallery make them look semi to really goofy except for Peart's?

Where do you find the pictures?

Where are those pictures? I don't see where to link to them. Thanks.

Use the link top left on this page or use the logo...

to get to the homepage then mouse over the header and a drop down menu will open.

It's under Entertainment>Special Features>[AUDIO]Slideshows

http://www.idahostatesman.com/1292/

Thanks for the photo info

That helps. Thanks very much. Fo some great photos, you can go to rush.com. Under the tour section they have links for photos to each show. It is most exciting to see myself in there with the band. Must print those!!! I was lucky lucky lucky and got front row, center. Alex even handed the 13-year old who was with me a pick. He then joked that she needed to give it back after she held up her poster for Neil. :) He talked to her again at the end of the show (well, you had to read his lips, but he was asking if she was tired and had to go to school tomorrow.) He is so great with the kids in the audiences!!!!!
Oh, and for more great Rush info, check out "rush is a band" and "the rush forum" online. Amazing stuff.

Brilliant Concert!!!!!!!!!

The Rush concert at the Idaho center was FANTASTIC!!!!!!!! The sound was great, the effects were beautiful, and the band was loving the vibe of the crowd. I was lucky enough to be front row center and could see that the boys were really having a good time. I also saw them at the Gorge on Sat. Another super show. Neil always has a serious look on his face when playing. He only seems to smile when Geddy and Alex tease him. His perfection in drumming must take an enormous amount of concentration. I'm so glad they came back to Boise, and hope they will return again on the next tour!

I AGREE!!!

Awesome show. Was pinching myself throughout the whole show for the fact that they were actually HERE. IN IDAHO!! We were truly blessed to witness and hear this incredible show. The only downside was the small turnout. But that shows the general mentality of most concert goers around here. When more people show up for Def Leppard than Rush, it is a travesty. But for the smart ones that bought tickets, we can secretly laugh at everyone else who missed it.

AWESOME!!!

No other way to put that show. I was bummed to see a small crowd and wondered if they would come back, but when you saw how much fun they were having, MAYBE be back somewhat soon. When you think of the show they did in Rio and the size of that crowd, we are really lucky to get them. As for Boston...RIP Brad Delp, Boston is dead and I will miss ever seeing them.

Def Leppard was better

Leppard rocked the sold out show. Rush and Boston cannot sell 10,000 tickets in a valley of 600,000. I'll catch them next year in Jackpot.

You've got to be kidding!

Def Leppard SUCKED! I've seen several shows and I mean BIG shows and this was the best I've ever seen!

You must be fairly young...

I can still recall Carole King in '89 as if it was yesterday and Alabama's Farewell Tour was extremely gratifying! My first concert was Chicago '17 Tour' in 1984 which had no lasers, if it had video projections I can't even remember but it was the best concert to begin with I could ever think of at age 18. I don't care how short it will be...when they hit the fairgrounds August 20th I will crawl to be there as it will be the last time I ever expect to see them, whether you are talking about my lifespan or theirs.

Two cents from the East coast

I've seen Rush more times than I can remember, and can’t wait until they swing back into this neck of the woods in about a month. Just to enlighten the reviewer regarding a few of his comments: Rush has been known for having a sense of humor (on- and offstage, with the exception of Mr. Peart) for quite a long time, so the apparent goofiness isn't something new. Second, who cares if Rush's visual effects don't measure up to Tool's? This is a rock show, not a theatrical performance. (I've never seen Tool perform, but I know they're very talented musicians who have acknowledged Rush's influence on their music.) And finally, the reason Geddy and Alex seemed tethered to their respective spots on the stage most of the time is because they are responsible for more than just guitar and bass, respectively — Alex triggers his guitar effects via foot pedals, and Geddy plays keyboards, triggers sequences with foot pedals, AND has to sing from his side of the stage. You may have noticed, however, that any time either of them had a few moments free from these additional duties, they most likely did a little strolling, sometimes to the front of the stage and other times meeting in front of Neil’s massive kit. Glad to read that those who attended enjoyed what was surely another great Rush performance!

I have my videotape course at least.

Glad you had fun.

Show was great! Why the complaints?

I personally thought the show was fantastic! And as for the smaller crowd? Even better!! What is wrong with you folks...would you have preferred more screaming fans to drown out the music? Sure, I would have liked to hear "Working Man" and of course "Closer to the Heart," but they just have too many good songs to choose from and they can't play them all....the concert would have gone on all night! Got to remember that these guys are getting older too, and I thought they had great energy.

As far as Neil Peart's mood....I don't think he has been ALL THAT HAPPY since his daughter was killed in a car accident followed by his wife dying of cancer some 10 months later. Don't think that he wouldn't trade ALL his fame and fortune......