Solar Federation – the only American Rush tribute band invited to perform at A Night for Neil, the 2022 memorial concert organized by the family of late Rush drummer Neil Peart – brings its interpretation of the iconic progressive rock band’s music to Whitaker Center on Saturday, December 2.
Solar Federation celebrates the entirety of Rush’s massive catalog, from the band’s 1974 self-titled debut album through its final release, 2012’s Clockwork Angels. Fans of the band’s FM radio hits – like “Tom Sawyer”, “Limelight”, “Working Man,” and “The Spirit of Radio” – will certainly hear them. Hardcore disciples of Rush will enjoy hearing plenty of deep album tracks from albums such as A Farewell to Kings, Permanent Waves, Signals, Grace Under Pressure, Roll the Bones, and more, including personal band favorites like “Witch Hunt”, “The Pass”, and “Xanadu”.
Over the last eight years, Solar Federation has established itself as a faithful tribute to Rush, garnering praise from fans around the globe not only for the meticulous attention to musical detail provided by guitarist Eric Wirsing, bassist/keyboardist Mike Bitts, and drummer Ffej Herb, but also for vocalist Julie Schreiber’s unique interpretation of the band’s dynamic melodies and thought-provoking lyrics.
The band headlined A Night for Neil, sponsored by the nonprofit organization Overtime Angels and held in Peart’s hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario. Solar Federation’s hour-long closing set at the show, held in memory of the drummer who died of glioblastoma in 2020, brought down the house.
Solar Federation was also voted “Best Tribute Band” at the 3rd annual Central PA Music Awards in 2022, and the band’s renditions of “The Necromancer” and “Chemistry” have appeared on two separate volumes of Songs for Neil, a tribute album series released and distributed internationally by RushFest Scotlan
“Rush fans crave that live concert experience because the band is no longer around,” said founding member and drummer Ffej Herb. “Are we Rush? No, of course we’re not. But there is a distinct family atmosphere when it comes to Rush fans. Anyone who’s been to a Rush concert can tell you that. Solar Federation exists to fill that void for those fans who simply need to hear this music performed live with passion and precision.”