Clockwork Angels Tour
The Clockwork Angels Tour was a concert tour by the Canadian progressive rock band Rush in support of their 19th and final studio album, Clockwork Angels, released in 2012.[1][2] It consisted of two legs, running from September 7 to December 2, 2012, and from April 18 to August 4, 2013, for a total of 72 shows across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Scandinavia.[2] Originally planned for three months, the tour was extended due to its success, incorporating performances in Europe.[1] The tour marked a significant chapter in Rush's career, blending the steampunk-themed narrative of Clockwork Angels—a concept album about a young man's quest in a controlled society—with the band's signature progressive rock elements and live energy.[1] It debuted the Clockwork Angels String Ensemble, featuring conductor David Campbell and nine string players, which added orchestral depth to the performances and highlighted tracks from the new album alongside classics.[2] Setlists typically opened with high-energy staples like "Subdivisions" and "The Big Money" in the first act, transitioned to album-centric songs such as "Caravan," "Clockwork Angels," and "Headlong Flight" in the second, and closed with encores including "Tom Sawyer," with occasional rotations like "Middletown Dreams" or "The Pass."[2] This structure emphasized Rush's evolution, drawing from their post-Moving Pictures era while reaffirming their enduring appeal after 44 years in the industry.[1] The tour's success led to official releases capturing its highlights, including the live album and concert film Rush: Clockwork Angels Tour, recorded and filmed at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas, during the second leg.[3] Released on November 19, 2013, via DVD, Blu-ray, and double-CD formats, it showcased the band's technical prowess and stage production, including elaborate steampunk visuals and the string ensemble's contributions.[3] Critically, the tour and its documentation were praised for revitalizing Rush's live presence, delighting longtime fans with a balance of innovation and nostalgia, and solidifying Clockwork Angels as a confident capstone to their studio output.[1]Background and Planning
Album Promotion Context
The Clockwork Angels album, Rush's twentieth studio release, was issued on June 12, 2012, by Roadrunner Records in North America, marking the band's first full-length project in five years.[4][5] This conceptual work drew from a steampunk-inspired narrative crafted by drummer Neil Peart, envisioning a dystopian world governed by clockwork mechanisms and anarchic forces, which directly shaped the tour's elaborate visuals, including gear-laden stage sets and thematic animations.[6] The album's storyline, expanded into a novella co-authored by Peart and Kevin J. Anderson, provided a cohesive backdrop that extended into live performances, emphasizing the band's commitment to immersive storytelling.[7] Building anticipation for the full album, Rush previewed two tracks—"Caravan" and "BU2B"—as digital singles ahead of the 2010 Time Machine Tour, where they were debuted live to enthusiastic crowds, offering early glimpses of the evolving Clockwork Angels sound.[8] These performances during the 2010–2011 tour dates served as a bridge, teasing the project's progressive rock elements and orchestral flourishes while reigniting fan interest after a recording hiatus.[9] The album's strong reception further propelled the decision to launch a dedicated promotional tour, as Clockwork Angels debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart with over 103,000 first-week sales in the United States, matching Rush's career-high chart position.[10] Critics praised its ambitious scope and musicianship, with outlets like The Guardian highlighting its solid songcraft and Rolling Stone commending the band's enduring vitality, solidifying the need for an extensive live campaign to showcase the material.[11][12] This commercial and artistic success positioned the subsequent tour as the primary vehicle for extending the album's reach.[13]Announcement and Preparation
The Clockwork Angels Tour was officially announced on April 19, 2012, through a press release detailing a 33-date North American itinerary in support of Rush's twentieth studio album, Clockwork Angels, set for release on June 12, 2012.[14] The announcement highlighted the tour's kickoff on September 7, 2012, at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, with tickets going on sale starting April 27, 2012, via Ticketmaster and Live Nation.[15] This marked Rush's return to touring after the Time Machine Tour concluded in 2011, emphasizing a fresh production aligned with the album's thematic elements. Initial planning phases focused on enhancing the live presentation to complement the album's conceptual narrative, including the decision to hire an eight-piece string ensemble for the second set of the show. On June 18, 2012, Rush revealed the addition of the Clockwork Angels String Ensemble, conducted by David Campbell and featuring violinists Mario De Leon, Joel Derouin, Jonathan Dinklage, Gerry Hilera, and Sharon Perry, violists Piotr Jandula and Kevin Saville, and cellist Adele Stein.[16] This integration aimed to elevate orchestral arrangements of select tracks, drawing from the album's symphonic influences, and required coordination with the ensemble during pre-tour preparations to ensure seamless performance dynamics. Rehearsals commenced in July 2012, spanning approximately two months to refine the expanded set and incorporate new staging elements. The band conducted initial sessions as a unit, building on individual practice periods, before transitioning to full-group run-throughs that included the string ensemble.[17] Final preparations occurred at or near the opening venue in Manchester, New Hampshire, in early September 2012, allowing for on-site adjustments. Production scale decisions emphasized thematic cohesion, such as adapting the album's steampunk aesthetics—featuring Victorian-era machinery and fantastical airship motifs—into stage props and visual effects to create an immersive environment reflective of the album's storyline.[18]Tour Overview
Itinerary Structure
The Clockwork Angels Tour was organized into two main legs, encompassing a total of 72 performances that supported the promotion of Rush's 19th studio album. This structure allowed the band to maintain a rigorous schedule while accommodating breaks for recovery and preparation, reflecting their approach to long-term touring in their later career phase.[19][2] The North American shows formed the core of the itinerary, featuring 62 performances from September 7, 2012, to December 2, 2012, and from April 23, 2013, to August 4, 2013 (with an interruption for the European leg), primarily in arenas across Canada and the United States. This phase included multiple stops in major cities, emphasizing high-capacity venues to reach a broad audience and capitalize on the album's domestic reception. The leg's duration and scope underscored Rush's strong fanbase in the region, with performances spaced to cover diverse geographies from the East Coast to the West.[2][19] In response to the enthusiastic reception of the North American shows, which generated significant attendance and gross revenues, the tour was extended with a European leg consisting of 10 shows from May 22 to June 10, 2013, held in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and Finland. This addition marked Rush's return to continental Europe after four years, following their previous major outing there during the Snakes & Arrows Tour in 2008–2009. The European dates integrated seamlessly into the overall itinerary, providing international fans with access to the tour's elaborate staging and musical arrangements.[2][20]Production and Staging
The production and staging of the Clockwork Angels Tour drew heavily from the steampunk aesthetic of Rush's 2012 album Clockwork Angels, incorporating elaborate mechanical motifs to immerse audiences in the album's narrative of adventure and anarchy.[21] The stage design featured custom props by set designer Dale Heslip, including clockwork gears and industrial machinery elements that evoked Victorian-era machinery blended with fantastical airship imagery, projected via a massive upstage LED wall measuring 41 feet wide by 17 feet high with 9.75mm pixel pitch.[22] Flanking LED screens, each 7 feet high by 25 feet wide, created a three-dimensional theater-like illusion, displaying synchronized video content that advanced the album's storyline through animations of airships, storms, and alchemical symbols.[23] Additional moving elements included 22 articulated "angel wing" panels on high-speed motors, positioned to frame the stage and shift dynamically during performances, enhancing the sense of motion and narrative progression.[22] Lighting and special effects were choreographed to complement the thematic visuals, utilizing a combination of automated and manual cues for a three-hour show. The setup included 48 Robe Robin 600+ LED wash fixtures, 10 Vari-Lite VL3500 profile spots, and 55 Clay Paky Sharpy moving heads, mounted on a 60-foot "mother-in-law" truss and four triangle trusses for overhead illumination.[22] Custom pyrotechnics, provided by Pyrotek, were integrated for dramatic emphasis, with effects like flame bursts and gerbs carefully calibrated to avoid interference with the stage layout; lasers—comprising two 20-watt side units, one 30-watt upstage unit, and 28 two-watt blue lasers—added sweeping beams that interacted with the video projections.[21] These elements were synchronized with the band's performance, including close-up captures from robotic cameras focused on the drum kit, to heighten the visual intensity without overwhelming the music.[23] Sound production emphasized clarity in integrating the live string ensemble, employing advanced digital mixing consoles to balance the nine-piece group's orchestral layers with the band's progressive rock instrumentation. The setup utilized high-end systems from Meyer Sound for mains and fills, ensuring the strings' nuances remained prominent during the second set without dominating the core trio's sound.[21] Venue adaptations allowed scalability across arena sizes, from approximately 5,000-capacity theaters to 20,000-seat halls, achieved through modular truss configurations, adjustable LED arrays, and vertical light ladders with draped backdrops that transformed larger spaces into intimate environments.[23] This flexibility supported the tour's 72-date run, maintaining consistent production quality in diverse settings like the Target Center (capacity ~10,000) and larger arenas such as the American Airlines Center.[24]Musical Elements
Set List
The Clockwork Angels Tour featured a structured set list divided into two main sets and an encore, showcasing a blend of material from the band's 2012 album Clockwork Angels and selections from their extensive discography spanning the 1970s and 1980s. This approach allowed the band to highlight new material while revisiting fan favorites and deeper cuts, with approximately ten tracks from Clockwork Angels integrated primarily into the second set.[2] The standard Set One consisted of 10 songs focused on high-energy rockers and mid-period classics:- "Subdivisions"
- "The Big Money"
- "Force Ten"
- "Grand Designs"
- "The Body Electric"
- "Territories"
- "The Analog Kid"
- "Bravado"
- "Where’s My Thing?/Here It Is! (drum solo)"
- "Far Cry"
- "Caravan"
- "Clockwork Angels"
- "The Anarchist"
- "Carnies"
- "The Wreckers"
- "Headlong Flight/Drumbastica (drum solo)"
- "Peke’s Repose (guitar solo)/Halo Effect"
- "Seven Cities of Gold"
- "Wish Them Well"
- "The Garden"
- "Dreamline"
- "The Percussor (I) Binary Love Theme (II) Steambanger’s Ball (drum solo)"
- "Red Sector A"
- "YYZ"
- "The Spirit of Radio"
- "Tom Sawyer"
- "2112: Overture/The Temples of Syrinx/Grand Finale"
String Ensemble Integration
The Clockwork Angels String Ensemble was a nine-piece group comprising seven violinists—Mario De Leon, Joel Derouin, Jonathan Dinklage, Gerry Hilera, Audrey Solomon, Hiroko Taguchi, and Entcho Todorov—and two cellists, Adele Stein and Jacob Szekely, led by renowned arranger and conductor David Campbell.[2] This ensemble marked the first time additional live musicians joined Rush on stage during a tour, specifically to support the orchestral textures of the 2012 album Clockwork Angels.[27] Campbell, who had orchestrated several tracks on the album, adapted these arrangements for live performance, ensuring seamless integration with the band's sound.[28] The arrangements emphasized lush, symphonic layers on key Clockwork Angels songs, such as the poignant strings added to "The Garden" to amplify its reflective and emotional climax, while also extending to select progressive rock classics like "YYZ" for added dynamic contrast.[2] These adaptations highlighted the album's steampunk-inspired narrative and orchestral flourishes, transforming the second set into a hybrid of rock energy and classical elegance without overpowering the core trio's instrumentation.[28] The ensemble's contributions appeared on approximately 10 of the 12 album tracks performed live, as captured in the tour's official recordings.[29] Logistically, the ensemble entered the stage mid-show via a dedicated riser positioned at the rear, allowing them to assemble unobtrusively during the intermission before the second set began.[30] They performed across all 73 dates of the tour, spanning North America and Europe from September 2012 to August 2013, with Campbell conducting select key shows while the group operated semi-independently thereafter.[2] This setup facilitated over 70 string-accompanied performances, blending rehearsal-honed precision with the spontaneity of live rock.[31] Artistically, the ensemble's role was to elevate the symphonic ambitions of Clockwork Angels, which featured extensive orchestration in the studio, by contrasting Rush's intricate progressive rock style with live string warmth and depth.[28] Guitarist Alex Lifeson noted that the strings brought the album's "orchestrations to life" on stage, enriching fan appreciation of the material's layered composition.[28] This integration not only honored the album's conceptual scope but also refreshed the band's live presentation, bridging their rock roots with classical influences for a more immersive concert experience.[27]Personnel
Core Band Members
The core members of Rush—Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart—formed the foundation of the Clockwork Angels Tour performances, delivering the band's signature progressive rock sound across 73 dates from September 2012 to August 2013.[2] As the primary vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist, Geddy Lee anchored the rhythmic and melodic elements, providing lead vocals and intricate bass lines that intertwined with the tour's innovative string ensemble during the second set. He notably dubbed the nine-member group the "Clockwork Angels String Ensemble," enhancing the orchestral texture of album tracks like "Caravan" and "The Anarchist" while maintaining his dynamic stage presence on keyboards for atmospheric layers.[32] Alex Lifeson, the band's guitarist, contributed versatile electric and acoustic guitar work that complemented the tour's steampunk aesthetic. In the second set, dedicated to Clockwork Angels material, Lifeson incorporated acoustic elements using instruments such as the PRS Angelus Cutaway, adding intimate textures to songs like "The Garden" and evoking the album's folk-infused passages. His solos, including the emotive "Peke's Repose" interlude, bridged classic Rush riffs with the new material's orchestral swells.[33] Neil Peart served as drummer and percussionist, powering the tour's high-energy execution with his technical precision. His extended drum solos, lasting approximately 10 minutes each, were a highlight, particularly "The Percussor," which featured thematic clockwork visuals including a steampunk-inspired video projection of a mechanical drummer, aligning with the tour's conceptual motif. These solos, structured in three parts across the sets—"Here It Is!," "Headlong Flight," and "Steambanger's Ball"—blended acoustic improvisation with electronic elements for a cinematic effect.[34] The band's physical preparation emphasized stamina to sustain the 2.5-hour shows, with Peart leading rigorous routines influenced by his recovery from prior tendinitis issues. Peart's regimen included off-season cross-training three times weekly—combining cycling, weights, yoga, swimming, and calisthenics—followed by daily drum-specific rehearsals and full production run-throughs, resulting in a 10-pound weight loss to optimize endurance. This stamina-focused approach, detailed in Peart's writings, ensured the trio's cohesive performance amid the tour's demanding itinerary.[35][36]Supporting Musicians and Crew
The Clockwork Angels Tour incorporated the Clockwork Angels String Ensemble, a nine-piece orchestral group that joined Rush onstage for the second half of each concert to accentuate the album's string arrangements. Conducted by David Campbell, the ensemble consisted of seasoned session musicians drawn from Los Angeles' vibrant studio scene, performing intricate parts on tracks like "The Garden" and "Clockwork Angels."[32] The ensemble's lineup included Joel Derouin as concertmaster on violin, alongside violinists Mario De Leon, Gerry Hilera, Audrey Solomon, Entcho Todorov, and Jonathan Dinklage; and cellists Adele Stein and Jacob Szekely, with David Campbell leading as conductor. These performers brought extensive credits from collaborations with artists such as Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow, and Elton John, adding a layer of classical precision to Rush's progressive rock sound during the 73 shows from late 2012 to mid-2013.[32][37] Beyond the strings, no primary backing musicians augmented the core trio, though keyboard technician Tony Geranios occasionally provided auxiliary support during performances. The tour relied on a comprehensive production crew handling logistics, audio, visuals, and stage setup across international venues, with key roles filled by longtime Rush collaborators.[21] Howard Ungerleider served as lighting director, a role he had held with the band since 1974, crafting the tour's elaborate, thematic illuminations that evolved with the steampunk narrative. Liam Birt acted as tour manager and accountant, overseeing the operational flow for both North American and European legs, while George Steinert managed stage operations to ensure fluid transitions between sets. Production manager Craig Blazier, sound engineer Brad Madix, and technicians like drum specialist Lorne Wheaton and guitar tech Scott Appleton supported the technical backbone, enabling the tour's high-fidelity execution.[21][38][22]Tour Chronology
North American Dates
The North American leg of the Clockwork Angels Tour featured 62 performances across more than 40 cities, commencing on September 7, 2012, at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, and wrapping up on August 4, 2013, at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.[2] This portion of the tour unfolded in three phases: a fall leg spanning September to December 2012, a spring leg in April and May 2013, and a summer leg from late June to early August 2013, following the band's brief European excursion. A winter hiatus for holidays interrupted proceedings after the December 2, 2012, finale in Houston, Texas, with the itinerary resuming on April 18, 2013, in Los Angeles, California.[2] Venues were predominantly arenas, including the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, and the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, though the summer segment incorporated outdoor amphitheaters like Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York.[2] One significant occurrence was the postponement of the July 24, 2013, concert at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, owing to extensive damage from severe provincial floods; the performance was relocated to August 3, 2013, at ENMAX Centrium in Red Deer, Alberta, as a benefit show donating all proceeds to flood relief.[39] The band's hometown shows in Toronto, Ontario, on October 14 and 16, 2012, at Air Canada Centre exemplified peak attendance, underscoring enduring local enthusiasm.[2] The full chronology of North American dates is as follows:| Date | City | State/Province | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 7, 2012 | Manchester | New Hampshire | Verizon Wireless Arena |
| September 9, 2012 | Washington | DC | Jiffy Lube Live |
| September 11, 2012 | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | CONSOL Energy Center |
| September 13, 2012 | Indianapolis | Indiana | Bankers Life Fieldhouse |
| September 15, 2012 | Chicago | Illinois | United Center |
| September 18, 2012 | Detroit | Michigan | Palace of Auburn Hills |
| September 20, 2012 | Columbus | Ohio | Nationwide Arena |
| September 22, 2012 | St. Louis | Missouri | Scottrade Center |
| September 24, 2012 | Minneapolis | Minnesota | Target Center |
| September 26, 2012 | Winnipeg | Manitoba | MTS Center |
| September 28, 2012 | Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | Credit Union Centre |
| September 30, 2012 | Edmonton | Alberta | Rexall Place |
| October 10, 2012 | Bridgeport | Connecticut | Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard |
| October 12, 2012 | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | Wells Fargo Center |
| October 14, 2012 | Toronto | Ontario | Air Canada Centre |
| October 16, 2012 | Toronto | Ontario | Air Canada Centre |
| October 18, 2012 | Montreal | Quebec | Bell Centre |
| October 20, 2012 | Newark | New Jersey | Prudential Center |
| October 22, 2012 | Brooklyn | New York | Barclays Center |
| October 24, 2012 | Boston | Massachusetts | TD Garden |
| October 26, 2012 | Buffalo | New York | First Niagara Center |
| October 28, 2012 | Cleveland | Ohio | Quicken Loans Arena |
| October 30, 2012 | Charlotte | North Carolina | Time Warner Cable Arena |
| November 1, 2012 | Atlanta | Georgia | Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre |
| November 3, 2012 | Tampa | Florida | 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre |
| November 13, 2012 | Seattle | Washington | KeyArena |
| November 15, 2012 | San Jose | California | HP Pavilion at San Jose |
| November 17, 2012 | Anaheim | California | Honda Center |
| November 19, 2012 | Los Angeles | California | The Forum |
| November 21, 2012 | San Diego | California | Valley View Casino Center |
| November 23, 2012 | Las Vegas | Nevada | MGM Grand Garden Arena |
| November 25, 2012 | Phoenix | Arizona | US Airways Center |
| November 28, 2012 | Dallas | Texas | American Airlines Center |
| November 30, 2012 | San Antonio | Texas | AT&T Center |
| December 2, 2012 | Houston | Texas | Toyota Center |
| April 18, 2013 | Los Angeles | California | Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE |
| April 23, 2013 | Austin | Texas | Frank Erwin Center |
| April 26, 2013 | Sunrise | Florida | BB&T Center |
| April 28, 2013 | Orlando | Florida | Amway Center |
| May 1, 2013 | Nashville | Tennessee | Bridgestone Arena |
| May 3, 2013 | Raleigh | North Carolina | PNC Arena |
| May 5, 2013 | Virginia Beach | Virginia | Farm Bureau Live |
| May 7, 2013 | Baltimore | Maryland | 1st Mariner Arena |
| May 9, 2013 | Uncasville | Connecticut | Mohegan Sun Arena |
| May 11, 2013 | Atlantic City | New Jersey | Etess Arena at Hard Rock Live |
| June 21, 2013 | Hershey | Pennsylvania | Giant Center |
| June 23, 2013 | Wantagh | New York | Nikon at Jones Beach Theater |
| June 25, 2013 | Saratoga Springs | New York | Saratoga Performing Arts Center |
| June 28, 2013 | Tinley Park | Illinois | First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre |
| June 30, 2013 | Grand Rapids | Michigan | Van Andel Arena |
| July 2, 2013 | Cincinnati | Ohio | Riverbend Music Center |
| July 4, 2013 | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | Marcus Amphitheater at Summerfest |
| July 6, 2013 | Hamilton | Ontario | Copps Coliseum |
| July 8, 2013 | Ottawa | Ontario | Ottawa Bluesfest |
| July 10, 2013 | Quebec City | Quebec | Plains of Abraham (Festival d'été de Québec) |
| July 12, 2013 | Halifax | Nova Scotia | Halifax Metro Centre |
| July 24, 2013* | Calgary | Alberta | Scotiabank Saddledome |
| July 26, 2013 | Vancouver | British Columbia | Rogers Arena |
| July 28, 2013 | Ridgefield | Washington | The Amphitheater at Clark County |
| July 31, 2013 | Salt Lake City | Utah | USANA Amphitheatre |
| August 2, 2013 | Denver | Colorado | Pepsi Center |
| August 3, 2013** | Red Deer | Alberta | ENMAX Centrium |
| August 4, 2013 | Kansas City | Missouri | Sprint Center |
European Dates
The European leg of the Clockwork Angels Tour commenced in late May 2013, following the band's spring North American performances, and featured 10 concerts across five countries over three weeks. This international extension showcased Rush performing in major arenas for enthusiastic audiences, emphasizing the band's enduring popularity in Europe after a two-year hiatus from the continent since the Time Machine Tour concluded in 2011.[40][41] The itinerary began with a intensive five-show run in the United Kingdom, spanning England and Scotland, which allowed for streamlined overland travel between venues. This was followed by four continental dates in quick succession, necessitating short-haul flights from the UK to the Netherlands, then onward to Germany, Sweden, and Finland; the compressed scheduling highlighted the logistical challenges of crossing multiple time zones and borders in a short period.[41][42] The tour concluded in Helsinki on June 10, after which the band returned to North America for the summer leg. Venues selected for the European dates were among the region's largest indoor arenas, accommodating capacities of 15,000 to over 20,000 fans per show and providing an expansive stage for the tour's elaborate production. Notable highlights included the Manchester Arena, with its 21,000-person capacity, and London's O2 Arena, a 20,000-seat landmark that hosted one of the leg's high-energy performances.[43]) These larger-scale settings contrasted with some more intimate North American theaters earlier in the year, amplifying the visual and sonic impact of the clockwork-themed staging. The setlists for the European shows adhered closely to the tour's standard format, blending tracks from Clockwork Angels with progressive rock staples from the 1970s and 1980s, though occasional minor adjustments—such as song order variations—were made to suit pacing and crowd energy. No major deviations from the core repertoire were reported, maintaining consistency across the leg.[44][45]| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2013 | Manchester | England | Manchester Arena |
| May 24, 2013 | London | England | The O2 Arena |
| May 26, 2013 | Birmingham | England | LG Arena |
| May 28, 2013 | Sheffield | England | Motorpoint Arena |
| May 30, 2013 | Glasgow | Scotland | SECC |
| June 2, 2013 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome |
| June 4, 2013 | Cologne | Germany | Lanxess Arena |
| June 6, 2013 | Berlin | Germany | O2 World |
| June 8, 2013 | Sölvesborg | Sweden | Sweden Rock Festival |
| June 10, 2013 | Helsinki | Finland | Hartwall Arena |