Toto at John Cain Arena in Melbourne/Naarm
Toto and Christopher Cross performed at John Cain Arena in Melbourne/Naarm on Wednesday 16 April.
Once considered passé, yacht rock has undergone a cultural resurgence in recent years. As a result, late ’70s US acts such as Toto and Christopher Cross have found hip new audiences.
Toto’s early ’80s classic “Africa” is still popular in clubs – there’s a Late Nite Tuff Guy remix – and it’s surely only a matter of time before Eric Prydz flips Cross’ “Ride Like The Wind” into a viral banger.
Toto have returned to Australia with their Dogz Of Oz world tour. Last here for 2018/19’s Falls Festival, this time the band are co-headlining the final Bluesfest. Cross is billed as the tour’s “special guest” but it might as well be a twin headline.
Christopher Cross
Cross, a Texan, released his eponymous debut album in 1979, led by “Ride Like The Wind.” He was the first act to win the big four Grammys: Best New Artist, Album Of The Year and both Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year for “Sailing.” He’s never returned to such heights, but he’s sustained a credible career – he collaborated with Joni Mitchell on his latest album, 2017’s Take Me As I Am.
At 73, the dapper singer/guitarist is an impeccable performer of smooth jazz, R&B and soul. His international ensemble is elevated by Mauritian pianist Jerry Léonide and three choreographed backing vocalists. The staging is very ’80s cabaret noir.
After opening with the saxophone-heavy “All Right” from his sophomore LP Another Page, Cross cruises through those yacht rock hits – a mellow “Sailing” and a percussive “Ride Like The Wind,” plus a nostalgic rendition of the Oscar-winning “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do),” which Cross co-wrote with Burt Bacharach.
Toto's Steve Lukather
Toto have had numerous personnel changes since their 1977 formation. Guitarist/singer Steve Lukather is the band’s only continuous original member, and he’s developed an easy rapport with vocalist Joseph Williams, who joined the band in the mid-’80s and has left and returned a few times since.
Toto launch with the bombastic “Child’s Anthem,” the instrumental intro to their 1978 self-titled debut, signalling their intention to rock out. Much like 2018’s greatest hits collection 40 Trips Around The Sun, the band’s live set foregrounds their dynamism and range. While Toto play all the hits, they also offer deep cuts for super fans – and themselves.
An early highlight is “Rosanna,” the first single from 1982’s break-out LP Toto IV (and a Grammy Record Of The Year winner). It’s even better live than on record, as Toto give themselves permission to jam. Surprisingly, the band rejuvenate “99,” which has Lukather questioning the setlist, having previously expressed ambivalence towards the catchy track from 1979’s Hydra.
As a vocalist, Lukather shines on ballads, the best of which is the Chicago-esque “I Won’t Hold You Back” (also from Toto IV and sampled on Roger Sanchez’ 2000s filter disco smash “Another Chance”). Toto also revisit their funk era with a groovy “Georgy Porgy.”
Musicians’ musicians, Toto spotlight their session players, including twenty-something prodigy Dennis Atlas on keys. Lukather tells us that drummer Shannon Forrest has played for Taylor Swift, shouting out any Swifties in the crowd. The guitarist reminds the crowd that he played on Michael Jackson’s Thriller, teasing his iconic riffs from “Beat It.”
The group save two of their biggest hits for last. They give a spirited performance of their 1978 debut single “Hold The Line,” but “Africa” is something of an anticlimax. They don’t extend it like they did “Rosanna” when they could feasibly play “Africa” multiple times, as Travis Scott does FE!N. Still, Toto deliver a monumental retrospective for what could be their swan song tour – but hopefully isn’t.
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