Watch Rush Play Live With New Drummer Anika Nilles for the First Time

Former Jeff Beck drummer Nilles, in what was likely the most pressure-filled moment of her career, simply excelled, playing a huge kit with the Rush logo on the bass drum, bashing her way through virtuosic fills. Lee and Lifeson, meanwhile, seemed energized after their long break, with Lee hitting notes at the top of his youthful range. Keyboardist Loren Gold, who will also join the band on its upcoming tour, rounded out the expanded lineup.

Behind the musicians, vintage Rush footage that included Peart flickered on screen, a reminder that the evening was as much a tribute as a comeback. The performance at TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario marked the first time Lee and Lifeson played as Rush since they wrapped their career-spanning R40 tour at the Forum in Los Angeles on Aug. 1, 2015.

In the decade-plus since, the two appeared together only sporadically, billed only their own names rather than as the band, including at tributes to the late Gordon Lightfoot and Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters. “Also,” Lifeson added, “It’s the only song we know how...