By 1984, Rush were becoming the world's most popular 'underground' band. The world was also in a sombre mood, perhaps reflecting on George Orwell's 1984 thoughts. Rush's music from the Grace Under Pressure album captured this mood well, and their footage of the Maple Leaf Gardens concert in their home town Toronto on 21 September 1984 covers many of the stunning tracks from that album.
Direction
David Mallet's laser-beam staging screams 1984 in the best way.
Sound
Neil Peart's drum solo on 'YYZ' remains inhuman.
Production
Those glowing vertical tubes? Pure sci-fi dystopia chic.
Director
David Mallet
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'Grace Under Pressure' title came from Ernest Hemingway, not Orwell—Peart found it fitting for an album about living under nuclear shadow.
Geddy Lee triggered samples live with foot pedals while playing bass AND singing, making him arguably the busiest frontman in rock history.
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