"Washed away like footprints in the rain"

Vapor Trail • Vapor Trails

"RUSH TIME MACHINE TOUR - 2010-11"

The Time Machine Tour was a massive fan-pleaser that leaned heavily into the band's self-deprecating humor while introducing a brand-new steampunk aesthetic. The show opened with the hilariously elaborate "Rash: The Real History of Rush" video, featuring the trio in an alternate universe (including Alex Lifeson in a fat suit and Neil Peart as an Irish cop) stumbling through a polka-disco-country medley. The first set brilliantly mixed staples like "The Spirit of Radio" and "Subdivisions" with long-dormant deep cuts, thrilling fans with the live return of "Presto" and "Marathon." The band also used this first half to tease their upcoming Clockwork Angels album, debuting the heavy new track "BU2B" against a backdrop of striking steampunk visuals.

Following intermission, the second set launched with another "Rash" comedy video, this time featuring the band members hilariously swapping instruments, before diving into the tour's monumental centerpiece: a complete, front-to-back live performance of the legendary Moving Pictures album. Enhanced by Monty Python-esque video preludes, this momentous occasion finally brought the epic "The Camera Eye" back to the stage for the first time since 1983. The back half of the set continued to build the steampunk theme with another pre-release track, "Caravan," leading into Neil Peart's "Moto Perpetuo" drum solo, an acoustic interlude from Lifeson, and a thunderous "2112" medley.

The marathon performance concluded with a remarkably playful encore. The band fired through "La Villa Strangiato" with a bizarre polka-inspired intro and delivered a reggae-tinged "Working Man" that evolved to include a "Cygnus X-1" teaser during the 2011 leg. Finally, the night signed off with the hilarious "I Still Love You, Man" closing video, featuring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel reprising their superfan film roles, sending audiences home to the tune of polka-inspired exit music.

Disclaimer: The tour dates and set list variations presented here have been rigorously researched and validated using a wide variety of sources, including published biographies, historical tour advertisements, online databases, and direct fan input.

While we have done our absolute best to make this archive as complete and accurate as possible, unrecorded set list changes and historical discrepancies do happen. Mistakes and omissions are always possible. If you notice any inaccuracies and have a verified source to help correct the record, please let us know so we can continue to improve the archive.