A Legacy Forged in Session Royalty

Toto didn’t emerge like most bands. They were born in the studios—crafted by the very musicians who played on albums by Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, and yes, much of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. They were the guys behind the curtain… until they stepped forward and changed the game with pristine musicianship and genre-blurring anthems. More than four decades later, they’re still supplying the love—and the groove.

Support Act: Christopher Cross – Smooth Sailing with a Wink

At 73, Christopher Cross might have moved a little more gently across the stage, but his voice—and sense of humour—were both in fine form. “It’s great to be here. It’s great to be anywhere,” he quipped, channeling Keith Richards to a knowing ripple of laughter across the ICC Theatre.

Backed by a band that was equal parts polished and playful (including three backing vocalists in vibrant pink dresses), Cross stood amid a semi-circle of guitars, amps, and nostalgia. His set flowed seamlessly from early hits like ‘All Right’ and ‘Never Be the Same’ into a long, delicate piano-led ‘Sailing', met with roaring applause as the crowd recognised the intro.

Between songs, he joked about rock stardom, referencing a fan shouting “I love you, Chris!”—to which he grinned and replied, “Well, love is never wrong, mate.” The crowd adored him. He also reminded the audience of the deep connections between his music and Toto’s, particularly with ‘Arthur’s Theme’, for which the Toto band members played on the original recording.

By the time ‘Ride Like the Wind’ closed his set, Cross had set the perfect tone for the night: timeless, heartfelt, and warm as a summer breeze.

Toto: A Groove-Driven Night of Pure Chemistry

There’s tight… and then there’s Toto. From the opening bars of ‘Child’s Anthem’, it was clear this was not a band riding the wave of past glories—they were here to play. With a simple black backdrop adorned with Earth, the Dogz of Oz sword emblem, and the band’s name in bold type, the stage setup was refreshingly minimalist. No smoke and mirrors—just decades of world-class musicianship, front and centre.

Three songs in, ‘Rosanna’ hit—and the room took off. That groove. That impossible-to-fake shuffle. The rhythm section locked in so tightly, it felt like the auditorium itself was swaying. The audience rose to its feet, hands clapping in unison, caught up in a masterclass of feel, swing, and energy.

This wasn’t a show about solo spotlights. It was about synergy. Whether it was Joseph Williams’ soaring vocals, Greg Phillinganes’ velvet keys, or the youthful fire Dennis Atlas brought to ‘Angel Don’t Cry’, every player knew when to shine and when to sit in the pocket. There’s a humility in that kind of playing—born from experience, and rare to witness live.

Midway through the set, the band stepped to the side of the stage—literally—to watch an extended jam unfold between guitar, drums, and bass. No gimmicks. Just groove. Shannon Forrest, one of the most recorded session drummers of the last 20 years, laid down a dynamic foundation, with John Pierce’s fluid bass and Steve Lukather’s expressive guitar weaving around it. It wasn’t a break—it was a showcase of pure, joyful musicianship.

Lukather, ever the glue and grin of the group, shared stories, cheeky digs, and warm nods throughout the night—not in lengthy monologues, but like a mate nudging you at the pub. “We’ve been doing this a long time,” he said with a grin, “and somehow, we’re still all here, still in demand, and still having a blast.”

And that’s just it—Toto isn’t a band of has-beens. They’re still the go-to guys. You might not know it, but you’ve likely heard these musicians more times than you realise. That slick guitar on Thriller? That’s Lukather. Those smooth keys on ‘I Keep Forgettin’?’ That’s Greg Phillinganes. That soaring Disney vocal from The Lion King? Joseph Williams, tight drums on Taylor Swift’s albums? - that’s Shannon Forrest. Toto has always been a who’s who of musical heavyweights—and this tour continues that tradition, blending old friends and new faces into one seamless, electrifying unit.

That tradition lives on. The band may evolve, but the standard remains. They’re not just names on album credits—they’re a living, breathing ensemble, constantly raising the bar.

As the set built to a climax, ‘Hold the Line’ brought the crowd to their feet again, but it was ‘Africa’—with its call-and-response intro and full-audience backing vocals—that turned the theatre into one big, glorious choir. Lukather grinned. Williams belted. The crowd surrendered. It was magic.

Outside, it was a warm Sydney evening. Inside? It was blazing.

Finale: “Did We Just See One of the Best Live Bands… Ever?”

As the lights came up and fans filed out, glowing and buzzing, one middle-aged man with a vintage Seventh One tour tee turned to his teenage daughter and said, “That’s how it’s done.” She nodded, wide-eyed. And that’s the thing with Toto—whether you’ve been with them for decades or you’ve just discovered them… they leave you in awe.

Full Gallery https://musicfestivalsaustralia.com/event-photos/tototour2025

Thanks to Toto, Dogz Of Oz, TEG MJR, Menard PR and the ICC Theatre for having us along

Reviewed and photographed by Andy Kershaw for Music Kingdom Australia

Toto - Tour 2025