Rushfest returning to Glasgow venues Drygate and Barrowland Ballroom

Rushfest Scotland, a beloved rock festival in Glasgow, has announced its return for the thirteenth year. The festival, dedicated to Canadian rock legends Rush, will take place in Glasgow from May 15 to 17, attracting fans and musicians from around the world to celebrate the iconic band that has sold over 40 million albums and toured for more than 40 years.

Founded by Fort William guitarist and vocalist Steve Brown, Rushfest Scotland has raised an impressive £156,000 for cancer charities since its inception in 2013. This year, all profits from the event will be donated to Glasgow-based charity Funding Neuro, which supports groundbreaking research into Glioblastoma and the Beatson Cancer Charity.

The focus on brain cancer research is particularly significant as Rush’s iconic drummer and lyricist, Neil Peart, passed away from glioblastoma in January 2020. Funding Neuro will begin supporting new research into this aggressive brain cancer, making the festival’s fundraising efforts even more meaningful to Rush fans.

Special guests from the US, including bestselling author Kevin J Anderson and singer Maiah Wynne, will join the event this year. Kevin, a lifelong friend of Neil, co-authored the Clockwork Angels books with him and has also written novels in the Star Wars, Dune, and X-Files universes. Maiah Wynne, vocalist for Envy of None, Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson’s main side project, will also be part of the festival.

Rushfest Scotland 2026 will be hosted at two Glasgow venues: Drygate Brewery and the Barrowland Ballroom. The festival will kick off on Friday, May 15, at Drygate Brewery with a Meet and Greet with Kevin J Anderson and Maiah Wynne followed by various activities and live music. The following day, performances by tribute acts RUSH3TTE and Outside the Original will take place at Drygate, along with interviews with Kevin and Maiah. The festival will then move to the Barrowland Ballroom for a Saturday night show featuring Mac Floyd and Moving Pictures with special guest Maiah Wynne.

The festival’s origins are closely tied to Steve Brown’s band, Moving Pictures, one of the world’s most recognized Rush tribute acts. They perform around 70 shows annually, including at RUSHfest Brazil and iconic Canadian venues such as Massey Hall and Lakeside Park. Rushfest Scotland promises to be a weekend-long celebration of music, community, and the enduring legacy of Rush, bringing fans together in a shared love for the legendary band.