There is always a sense of excitement when Toto announce an Australian tour. With their last visit being 2019, a Toto tour is more than a concert, it’s a rare and treasured event. The ICC entertainment precinct was buzzing with devotees, making the most of the unseasonally balmy Easter long weekend. Multi generations and nationalities mingled and took photos beneath the venue’s billboard advertising the hottest ticket in town, the legendary Toto and stellar support in Christopher Cross. This is more than just your usual Easter treat, it’s an amalgamation of multiple delights rolled into one and we all walked away asking ‘Can we have more, please?’
Inside, the crowds were swelling and the theatre was almost full when Christopher Cross took to the stage. I finally got to see the man, myself, after various past attempts never worked out. My anticipation was on another level and this was well worth the wait. Cross is one of those insanely talented musical breeds, a gifted songwriter/singer with multiple grammy wins and at least 10 million albums sold so far, he is still selling out venues around the world.
As the lights dim, the crowd erupts when Cross and band play the familiar bars of ‘All Right’ and those beautiful, distinct Cross vocals fill the air. With a crystal clear sound, the acoustics at the ICC are top notch. My first thoughts are just how elevated the live performance is, compared to a recording. I can’t help but get butterflies when I know the rest of the music that we have in store tonight.
This setlist continues with ‘Never Be The Same’ and ‘I Really Don’t Know Anymore’ until we move into ‘Dreamers’ and another glorious tune, ‘Sailing’. The goosebumps from hearing ‘Sailing’ are something else and it is very difficult not to tear up and get emotional. Every song is so stunning, musically and vocally, that I can’t fault anything about what we are hearing and seeing.
Throughout the set, Cross is relaxed as he chats with the crowd, like old friends catching up for a long awaited gathering. He and the band seem to glide so effortlessly from song to song. We all know the lovely ‘Think Of Laura’, which is up next. It was also a pleasure to hear ‘You’, an enjoyable, up-tempo new track included in tonight’s mix.
I must admit, I do get all gooey when I hear what follows. How does anyone not know the recognisable piano bars of the first Cross song I ever heard when young, the gorgeous ‘Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)’? This time my eyes do get teary and, like the rest of the venue, I’m just soaking it in. You can see and feel the joy around the crowd, everyone is in musical heaven.
Then it’s time for more of that Cross splendour with ‘The Light Is On’ and ‘No Time For Talk’, before our finale of yet another famed track, ‘Ride Like The Wind’. The crowd jumps up and everyone lets loose to another brilliant track. This is a wonderful send off to Cross and I find myself trying not to imagine another of my favourites, Michael McDonald, just appearing out of the stage to regale us with his iconic backing vocals. Everyone is in awe as Cross and band are given a well deserved standing ovation and then we finally settle down to prepare for our next musical course.
What can be said about Toto that hasn’t been said a million times before? Not much. With over 50 million albums sold so far and several grammy’s under their belts, their impressive achievement list continues to grow. The years pass but more fans and more sold out venues around the globe are added to the Toto legacy. The music industry wouldn’t be what it is today if they hadn’t been around to add their creativity and other-worldly skills to the scene. It really isn’t fathomable to envisage a musical world without them so I just don’t. Like everyone else, we wait until it’s time for another tour so we can finally get to immerse ourselves in their wonderous, musical brilliance.
I scope the venue and it’s a pleasure to see the diversity of this sell-out crowd. Families and all ages coming to see this incredible band, such is their appeal. The excitement builds even more as we watch the stage switch into a Toto set up. That in itself is a highlight that I enjoy, and with this being my third Toto tour, I feel so fortunate to be here once again.
Trying hard not to ‘set list snoop’ online is usually something I’m good with but I did have a look at Melbourne’s and just sighed with joy at what was about to unfold tonight. The band finally makes it on stage and it’s deafening to hear the screams and whistles from the fans as Toto thunder into their killer instrumental, ‘Child’s Anthem’. The ICC acoustics are once again fully on show as every nook and cranny of the building hugs each bar of Toto’s music and elevates this crisp sound to a near out-of-body experience. I loved hearing the rocking ‘Carmen’ before we moved through the rich and dynamic ‘Rosanna’ and the lovely and floaty ’99’.
Toto are still as flawless as ever musically, just freakishly brilliant, with their incredible technique, complex rhythms and glorious harmonies, it’s like nearly twenty years hasn’t passed since I first saw them live. Steve Lukather, Joseph Williams, Greg Phillinganes, John Pierce, Shannon Forrest, Warren Ham and the newbie wonderkid, Dennis Atlas, are all on fire tonight. The touring line up may alter as the years progress but not what we hear and see.
Like most fans, I know these songs back to front, up and down, and sideways, but nothing compares to seeing Toto live and being taken on a nostalgic journey through their lush and diverse catalogue of musical brilliance. As they hammer through ‘Mindfields’, Williams’ powerhouse vocals are still top tier and then it’s ‘Luke’s’ turn with the tender ‘I Will Remember’ until we are back to Williams with another favourite, ‘Pamela’. Yes, I did squeal when he introduced this track as we were treated to a stunning extended version.
Toto can infuse rock, jazz, R&B with such ease to produce this chill and swanky, unique groove within the rich layers of multiple instruments and vocals. The pace of their music may change but the layers never do. Each song is a beautiful masterpiece of musicianship and songwriting genius. Along with the magic, Luke’s guitar work spellbinds the crowd throughout the night.
Next we have the legendary Greg Phillinganes spoiling us with a keyboard solo until Luke takes us back to the always beautiful (often sampled by others) ‘I Won’t Hold You Back’, and then we move up tempo to a cracking ‘Angel Don’t Cry’, as young Dennis Atlas goes off like a firecracker on keyboards and vocals. The set list tonight is fantastic and, as per usual, I could add another twenty or so songs on there but we can’t be too greedy. Luke includes an oldie but forever goody ‘Georgy Porgy’ which just puts you in a mood and I’m listening to it again while writing and trying not to stop and click my fingers and move around.
Where to now? Another cranking keyboard medley from Atlas, including snippets of what I hear to be some ‘Goodbye Elenore’ and ‘Home Of The Brave’ that moves into a blistering rendition of ‘White Sister’. This just blows the roof off as Luke kills it once again. How many times can you write ‘Luke, killing it’ on your notepad? Quite a few times, as I have found! Then we are taken to some sweet levels of love from Luke with ‘I’ll Be Over You’. This in turn lights the venue up with phones held high until ‘Stop Loving You’ highlights those Williams vocals once again and it’s time to try and keep up with him as we belt out these lyrics.
This part of the set then gives us a wicked drum solo from Forrest. His drumming is so ferocious that he actually knocks one part of his setup off the podium. Toto then work their way to the bluesy ‘Don’t Chain My Heart’, with that Luke guitar brilliance once again on display. Even their band intro is a history lesson for anyone who isn’t aware of exactly how much they have all been involved in within the music industry. While trying to keep each member’s achievements to a brief mention is a difficult task, we hear a few bars of ‘Beat It’, ‘I Keep Forgettin” and ‘It’s Hip To Be Square’ casually thrown in there as examples of the tracks they have contributed to. Toto then decide to rip it up with one of their earlier rock tracks,‘I’ll Supply The Love’, followed by another favourite ‘Hold The Line’ and the iconic ‘Africa’ finishing this glorious night. This leads to yet another standing ovation as the happiness and emotion is evident on the fans faces.
It’s quite obvious that you can’t top gigs like this. If only we could fulfill our musical fantasies and have ‘Toto on tap’, somehow residing in a secret part of the house, available to perform every week so we could indulge in personally chosen setlists on a regular basis.
Tonight was a wonderful celebration of music, showcasing 5 decades of timeless hits from a band that very few can hold a candle to. Their camaraderie and friendship shining through, along with their incomparable and supreme musicianship. Every performance hits the mark and you leave the venue in a state of euphoria. Thank you, Toto, for helping us create new memories to treasure until the announcement of your next tour!
© 2025 MARINA KNEZEVIC – All Rights Reserved
