Toto Holds The Line In Charlotte

Summer Tour Brings Toto, Men at Work, and Christopher Cross to PNC Music Pavilion

Growing up in the late 70s and early 80s, Toto was on everyone’s musical radar and everyone’s radio.  In fact, as a young child, it was one of the few bands that my parents and I shared a love for, which, believe me, was no easy feat. With hit singles “Rosanna” and “Africa,” Toto achieved legendary status, and it certainly helped having one of the best guitarists in the business in the band. I’m looking at you, Steve Lukather. This summer, the legendary band is back out on the road, bringing along a few other 80s icons with Men at Work and Christopher Cross opening up the shows. 

The Charlotte evening was hot and humid as fans descended upon PNC Music Pavilion to enjoy an incredible night of music. The first one up was singer, songwriter, and guitarist Christopher Cross. With his signature pink flamingo adorning the stage backdrop, Cross and his band hit the stage in fine fashion. They looked amazing, with three beautiful backup singers, and the band members in nice pants and matching vests. Cross came out last, holding up his guitar in one hand and pointing to acknowledge the crowd with the other, fedora perched nicely on top of his head. 

Not only did Cross and company look great, but they sounded amazing with a lush, full band sound hanging in the air across the evening sky. The setlist ran through a list of tunes, and I was pleasantly surprised that I knew quite a few of them, remembering that way back when “Think of Laura” was one of my mom’s favorites. Cross’s vocals were on point as he guided the band through favorites like “Sailing” and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do).” Raise your hand if you’re old enough to remember going to see that movie in the theater! 

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Christopher Cross set without letting us “Ride Like The Wind” as we all sang along. It was a great start to the night. If you’re heading out to see the show, get there early so you don’t miss one minute of Christopher’s set.

Next up was Australian rockers Men at Work, led by original member Colin Hay. I was excited to catch their set because out of all the concerts I’ve attended over the years and back in the day, I never caught Men at Work live. Let me tell you that the band did not disappoint. 

The band members came out to their respective spots on the stage, with Hay taking his place behind the center microphone, guitars in a small rack next to him. Instantly, I was transported back in time and space as Hay began “No Restrictions” off the Cargo album. He sounded fantastic, and his band is world-class in every way. I love when bands incorporate woodwinds into their music, and so far, tonight, I was in my glory. 

I was ecstatic that “Down by the Sea” was included in the setlist, and hearing Hay’s poignant take on it made the night unforgettable. Don’t worry, they also played “Down Under” and “Who Can It Be Now?” as the audience exploded in appreciation. It was another terrific performance as Men at Work left it all out on the stage for us. 

With such a fantastic start to the night, it was hard to imagine things getting any better, but Toto was still to come as we waited in eager anticipation.  Again, Toto has been rocking us since the late 70s, and like a fine wine, they only get better with age. I absolutely enjoy seeing bands that can still perform at a top level so far into their career, and I can honestly say that Toto still kicks some serious butt. 

The venue lights went down, and as the lights shone on the Toto backdrop at the rear of the stage, everyone was up and out of their seats. Things got started with the instrumental track “Child’s Anthem” off of Toto’s eponymous 1978 debut album and only got better from there. Each and every member of Toto and their touring production is top-notch in every way. Everything from the sound to the lights and, of course, the musicians on stage is the epitome of excellence and class. 

As the legend himself, guitarist Steve Lukather makes his way to the front of the stage, your eyes are instantly drawn to him. It’s not every day that you get to witness a master class on stage, so when it happens, you just have to soak it all in. He can also kill it on the vocals as he took his spot behind his mic stand for “Rosanna.” 

But don’t worry, long-term vocalist Joseph Williams was present and near perfection as he ran from one side of the stage to the other, belting out Toto classics and shaking a tambourine all night long. 

One of my favorite moments of the set was when those all-familiar notes rang out on the piano as Lukather once again took the vocal lead for “I Won’t Hold You Back.” This was one of my piano competition songs back when I was an early teen, and the memories came flooding back tenfold. What a song and what a performance!

Toto definitely put on a show for the ages, rocking us out with “Hold The Line” and even bringing Men at Work out on stage for the show closer as Toto “blessed the rains down in Africa” for Charlotte one more time. 

The band will be out on the road here in the U.S. through the end of August before taking off for a string of South American dates. Do not miss your chance to catch this tour and soak up these legends up close and in person. You won’t be disappointed. 

See the Full Gallery of the Night Here!

If you captured any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see. 

Tour Dates:

8/21 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theatre

8/23 – Las Vegas, NV @ Fontainebleau

8/24 – Inglewood, CA @ Kia Forum

8/25 – Concord, CA @ Toyota Pavilion at Concord

8/27 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

8/29 – Puyallup, WA @ Washington State Fair

8/30 – Ridgefield, WA @ RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater

https://totoofficial.com/

https://colinhay.com/menatwork/

https://www.christophercross.com/about