Rush Night Four: ‘A Farewell to Kings’ Returns After 47 Years

On the fourth and final night of their first Los Angeles run, Rush delivered a major surprise at the Kia Forum: the first full live performance of their 1977 album A Farewell to Kings since the original tour, 47 years ago. The band, celebrating their Fifty Something Tour, had already been rotating deep cuts, but this marked an unprecedented setlist shift.

The album was played in its entirety as the second set, featuring:

  • Cygnus X-1 (Book I & II, bridging Farewell and Hemispheres)
  • Closer to the Heart (a staple, but recontextualized)
  • Rare live outings for Xanadu and Madrigal

Fans described the performance as emotionally overwhelming, with Geddy Lee’s vocals and Alex Lifeson’s intricate guitar work sounding pristine. Neil Peart’s drum solo during “Cygnus X-1 Book I” was a particular highlight, drawing a standing ovation. The set also included a tongue-in-cheek video interlude mocking the band’s own notoriously complex time signatures.

The show closed with an encore of Tom Sawyer and 2112 (Overture/Temples of Syrinx). The Forum run now heads to a brief break before the tour resumes in Seattle. For die-hard fans, this night cemented the tour as one of the most adventurous in the band’s history.

Source: Rolling Stone – Rush Night Four: ‘A Farewell to Kings’ Returns After 47 Years