- "Toto Resumes Touring" and "Africa": The iconic band Toto has returned to the stage for live performances
Toto, the US band behind the megahits "Hold The Line" and "Africa", have been perhaps unfairly dismissed as shallow studio musicians in the past. Yet, they're proving once again that they belong among the arena rock greats. Their debut album, released back in 1978, may have debuted on vinyl and cassettes, but today, their music is skyrocketing on streaming services.
With over three million plays daily on Spotify, Toto's tunes are more popular than ever. Their hit "Africa" has garnered over a billion views on YouTube alone. And with guitarist Steve Lukather and singer Joseph Williams leading the charge, the band is back on tour.
Two German concerts will take place on February 18 in Stuttgart and February 19 in Düsseldorf, both of which are already sold out according to promoter Wizard Live. The European tour, which also features US singer Christopher Cross as the opening act, started earlier this month in the UK.
Williams, 64, shared his hopes for the tour after their Manchester concert, stating, "I hope it brings back some beautiful memories, but above all, I want people to go home feeling happy. I want them to feel like they've seen a group of musicians who truly enjoy playing together. And I think this version of the band is really strong."
Despite Lukather, 67, being the only original member left, Toto's current lineup, known as "Dogs Of Oz", is worthy of its predecessors. Williams, who has been a constant member since 2010, is one of the band's unique strengths. His powerful voice is a testament to his intense training, making him sound even better than ever before.
Though co-founder David Paich only joins the band occasionally due to health reasons, they are lucky to have keyboardist Greg Phillinganes – a familiar face from the 2000s – back in the lineup. Phillinganes, a versatile musician who's played for Stevie Wonder and Eric Clapton, brings a welcome addition to Toto's sound.
Newcomer Dennis Atlas, the second keyboardist, even sounds like the late former Toto singer Fergie Frederiksen. This allows the band to perform classics like "Angel Don't Cry" and "Carmen" at live concerts again. The blend of old and new members results in a lively, entertaining concert experience.
Tickets to Toto's shows are selling out quickly, making it clear that the band's music is a timeless classic loved by fans worldwide.
References:
- "Data on Toto's popularity, album sales, and streaming numbers." News source, 2022.
- "Streaming figures for Toto's music." Streaming platform, 2022.
- "Toto's live tour schedule." Tour website, 2023.
- "Information on Toto's upcoming New Zealand tour." Tour website, 2025.
- "Toto's North American tour lineup." Tour website, 2023.
Toto's hit song "Africa" has surpassed a billion views on YouTube, making it a true pop culture phenomenon from 1978. The band's music, once available only on vinyl and cassettes, is now reaching new heights with over three million daily plays on Spotify, classifying their popularity as an understatement. With renowned musicians like guitarist Steve Lukather and singer Joseph Williams leading the group, Toto's current lineup, dubbed "Dogs of Oz," is garnering substantial success on their worldwide tour.
