Rush concert postponed after Anika Nilles falls ill
She's been struck down by flu
Rush postponed their concert at the SAP Center at San Jose in California on Saturday night (17th October) after drummer Anika Nilles fell ill.
Hours before they were due to take to the stage, Rush released a statement apologising to fans, and confirming the show will now take place on Sunday 6th December.
"So sorry everyone! Anika is too ill to perform tonight. Tonight's RUSH show in San Jose is not happening - now rescheduled for Dec 6, 2026. All previously purchased tickets will be honoured for the new date,” Rush said.
"Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to coming back and putting on a fantastic show for you."
Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson also released a video message revealing that Anika battled through the band’s Thursday show in San Jose despite feeling ill.
" Hi, it's Lerxst. So this really sucks,” Lifeson said. “The other night when we played the first show in San Jose, Anika was ill. She was in the early stages of a flu, but she managed to get through the gig, which was really quite incredible and is a testament to her willpower. But over the last couple of days, she's gotten a lot worse, and, unfortunately, we're gonna have to cancel the show tonight.”
The dejected looking guitarist added: "It's a real bummer. We're crestfallen. We were really looking forward to it, but it is what it is.
"So she's gonna recover hopefully within the next — oh, who knows? — four or five days probably. And then we're gonna try to come back on December 6th to do the makeup gig here in San Jose.
"Again, really, really sorry. These things happen. It's flu season. We'll do our best to get back in shape and return and put on a fabulous show for all of you. Thank you so much for understanding."
Rush’s next scheduled show on the Fifty Something Tour is at St Louis Enterprise Center in Missouri on Wednesday 21st October.
Back late June, Rush postponed two concerts at Fort Worth Dickie’s Arena after Geddy Lee was diagnosed with laryngitis and bronchitis. The shows took place two weeks later.