The Amsterdam Ziggodome, holding 17,000 people, was full to the brim with concert-goers when legendary band Toto arrived to play as part of their enormous 2018 tour. Most Music Man readers will know Toto from their 1983 chart-topper ‘Africa,’ which is often considered one of the greatest songs of all time. Certainly, audience members at the gig would have been waiting with anticipation for Toto to play their hit. However, when they did play the song, they turned it into something extra special.
At the concert, Toto turned the usually four-minute song into an eleven-minute extravaganza, complete with a percussion solo, saxophone solo, a call and response section, and an opportunity for the audience to chant the iconic song from the riff. The audience appeared to be having the time of their life, and online fans flooded the video with views. It has now garnered over 54M views and received fan comments like “50 thousand people smiling! The power of music is amazing!”
Since the 80s, Toto has continued to release new albums and tour extensively. While the band has continued, there have been several changes to the band line-up, as well as an extensive number of different touring members. After their tour ended in 2019, the band announced that their current iteration had come to an end. In 2020, it was announced that the band would consist of Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams, with David Paich joining them in the studio and for special performances.
Alongside their current line-up, it was announced that a number of new touring members would join the band for their Dogz of Oz tour in 2022, as well as at the Night of the Proms in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2023. Music Man fans will be able to see from their band’s performance of ‘Africa,’ ‘Hold The Line,’ and ‘Stop Loving You’ that, despite their line-up changes, there has been no change in the quality of their performance, bringing the same fun and energy that the audience expects from a Toto show.
It may feel like a lot of pressure to live up to when your most famous song was released over 40 years ago. It is not uncommon for artists to try and distance themselves from their earlier work in order to lean into their latest artistic creations. However, much to the joy of the fans, Toto has continued to embrace the success of ‘Africa’, making it a true highlight for concert-goers. With their commitment to keeping the band going over the years and giving their fans a show to remember, Toto has cemented themselves as one of the most iconic live bands that can bridge generational differences through the love of good music.
If you would like to hear more from the legendary band Toto and explore their extensive music catalog, you can subscribe to their YouTube Channel for more incredible music. Stay updated with their latest news and behind-the-scenes glimpses by following them on Facebook and Instagram. For more information about their journey and upcoming projects, be sure to visit their official website.