Drummer Anika Nilles has spoken about the pressure of performing RUSH's celebrated "Tom Sawyer" drum fill live for the first time, in a new Modern Drummer cover story. She recalled the nerves before tackling the iconic passage at the band's "Fifty Something" tour opener in Inglewood, California, admitting she told herself "don't fuck it up" moments before playing it, given the song's significance to both fans and herself as the band's new drummer.

Nilles also discussed her working relationship with surviving members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson, praising their humility and enthusiasm despite their legendary status, and explained how she approached learning the late Neil Peart's intricate drum parts. She described treating Peart's compositions with great respect while carefully deciding, song by song, where she could bring her own interpretation or improvisation, with adjustments refined further during rehearsals. The tour, which began on 7 June at the Kia Forum, has reportedly received widespread acclaim, with numerous North American dates continuing into late 2026 and 2027.