25 songs, 11 members… one big Rush

Subdivided: Rush and their string ensemble

Rush played the first show of their Clockwork Angels tour in Manchester, New Hampshire at the weekend – and there was a big difference to the band’s lineup.

For the first time ever Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart were joined on stage by guest musicians in the form of an eight-piece string ensemble, helping them deliver tracks from their latest album the way they’d originally been devised. Check out the videos below.

That wasn’t the only surprise. The first half of the band’s 25-song set included a stack of songs they hadn’t played in years.

Introducing “part two, the part where we indulge ourselves in new music,” Lee told the crowd: “For the first time ever in our history we have guest musicians performing with us. I hope you enjoy us.”

Setlist part 1: Subdivisions; The Big Money; Force Ten; Grand Designs; The Body Electric; Territories; The Analog Kid; Bravado; Where’s My Thing; Far Cry

Setlist part 2: Caravan; Clockwork Angels; The Anarchist; Carnies; The Wreckers; Headlong Flight; Halo Effect; Wish Them Well; The Garden; Manhattan Project; Red Sector A; YYZ; Working Man

Encore: Tom Sawyer; The Spirit of Radio