Live Review: Toto

Toto finally appear on stage 12 minutes later than scheduled and what knocks our socks off first is that voice! Yep, Joseph Williams is all that. The entire band are in top form from the get-go, opening with Alone - the opening track from their latest 40 Trips Around The Sun set that was released to commemorate 40 years since Toto's self-titled album of 1978 landed. This latest collection contains 14 tracks plucked from the band's back catalogue plus three previously unreleased recordings and its cover art graces the backdrop. Steve Lukather's guitar solo is perfection. Song two Hold The Line is all "woah-woah-woah" goodness and tests our vocal ranges during singalongs with each skyhigh octave climb. 

We’re positioned down front stage left and the sound mix is A1 so props to the sound gal/guy. Lukather's jet-black barnet calls to mind Gene Simmons as he tells us they’ll now do “a new old one”; Spanish Sea contains an impressive organ solo by Steve Porcaro and delicious high harmonies. Informing us that he penned I Will Remember with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers drummer Stan Lynch, Lukather explains the song is about losing the people you love. This virtuosic band don't falter all night and the intricacy of Shannon Forrest's drumming expertly navigates their groove, which is further accentuated by kickass percussionist Lenny Castro. 

Singling out a punter down front, Lukather cautions, "Don’t do that, man, that’s a drag,” but we're not close enough to see what the guitarist is referring to. Bassist Shem von Schroeck sways and poses up there, wielding a five-string and also responsible for the angelic highest harmonies. During Jake To The Bone, with its ever-changing time signatures, we watch in awe, motionless, whooping enthusiastically to punctuate the moments Toto create. Rosanna is flawless and Williams nails those impossibly high notes - what a show off! We're coaxed to clap out the beat during, "Not quite a year..." sections and bloody wish our parents had the good sense to christen us Rosanna. It's no secret that everyone's waiting for That Song, but this song will take some beating. 

He's performed with Prince and Dominique “Xavier” Talpin's piano solo floors us. All musicians leave the stage and allow Talpin his time to shine as he plays illuminated under a spotlight. As his bandmates return to the stage, some take turns hugging him - they know Talpin is something special. 


A segment of Georgy Porgy leads into Michael Jackson's Human Nature (which Toto keyboardist Porcaro cowrote with John Bettis) and the talent assembled up on stage - both in terms of musicianship and songwriting credits - is truly remarkable. There's some incredible blocking during which saxophonist Warren Ham materialises from behind the singers just in time for dedicated brass blasts. 

During the band introductions we learn that von Schroeck used to be MD for Kenny Loggins and he obviously also lives at the gym. "The kindest man in show business," is how Forrest is introduced. A Facebook request sees Make Believe included in this evening's setlist with this song dedicated to the OG fans among us. Toto then play a song that was the closing title to a David Lynch film, Dune. 

While My Guitar Gently Weeps further demonstrates Lukather's command of this instrument; his playing style is minimal, but has maximal impact. Lukather belongs up the top end of Best Guitarist Of All Time lists. 

“Are you ready to hear That Song?" is how Lukather takes us to Africa. The wonder of That Song's extended live version is marred by a couple who push in and then proceed to film the entire song hence blocking our view. So angry are those directly affected by this clueless rudeness that song lyrics are spontaneously changed to berate the ring-ins and sung loudly to hopefully ruin their footage. But we would prefer not to have our attention dragged away from Toto, thanks very much. After Africa, we lip read Williams commending, "Fabulous crowd," while shaking the hands of front-row punters. 

Our somewhat surprising encore sees Toto sharing Weezer's Hash Pipe and it's a joyous affair. Toto are note perfect, but never devoid of groove. Minds blown.