LIVE PHOTOS + REVIEW—Toto 2026

Toto • Christopher Cross • The Romantics • August 1, 2026 • MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa, FL • Photos by Randy Cook — instagram.com/horns_raised

Toto Live Review

Toto, Christopher Cross & The Romantics | August 1, 2026 | MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, Tampa, FL

Review by Randy Cook

When legendary rock band Toto announced a 2026 summer tour spanning thirty-two shows across North America, I was pleased to see a local stop in Tampa. The tour features Christopher Cross and The Romantics as supporting acts and, for me, it would be an opportunity to see three artists I have never seen live. Toto occupies a unique place in music history because the band’s influence extends far beyond its own catalog of hits. While many people know Toto for their songs “Africa,” “Rosanna,” and “Hold the Line,” their greatest impact may be the standard they set for musicianship, songwriting, and studio recording.

Prior to the show, after reading about the history of Toto, I had no idea of the breadth and influence this band has had in rock and music history. Unlike many bands that grew their following together playing in garages, backyards and clubs, Toto was formed by musicians who had already established themselves among Los Angeles’ most sought after session players. Long before Toto achieved success, its members had collectively contributed to hundreds of recordings, earning reputations for exceptional versatility, precision, and professionalism.

Toto has released fourteen studio albums and has sold over FIFTY million records worldwide. As mentioned in the press release for this tour, “Toto’s largest hit “Africa” has achieved the milestone of TWO BILLION plays at Spotify alone, while “Hold The Line” exceeds ONE BILLION streams.” To say that I was excited for the show is an understatement.

I arrived at the venue and was greeted by a healthy crowd who arrived early enough to enjoy The Romantics getting this night of music off to a great start. The video for their song “What I Like About You” became a frequent fixture in early rotation shortly after MTV launched on August 1, 1981, which is a fitting detail, considering today’s date marks the forty fifth anniversary of when MTV debuted. The Romantics waste no time turning the early arrivals into an energized audience. From the first few notes, I see hands clapping and hear the crowd singing along with many fans throughout the amphitheatre on their feet. The band’s high-energy mix of power pop, rock, and new wave sounds just as vibrant today as it did during their chart-topping years. More than simply warming up the crowd, The Romantics deliver a confident, hit-filled set that proved power-pop has not lost an ounce of its bite. When they started that undeniable riff of “What I Like About You,” the crowd was completely engaged, singing along to every word and setting the tone for the rest of the night.

Next up was Christopher Cross who, I discovered in my pre-show reading, was the first artist in Grammy history to win all four major General Field awards—Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist—in a single year! His set proved that great songs never lose their appeal. His voice is unmistakable, and his delivery is wonderfully relaxed. Backed by an exceptional band, the music took center stage, and every song was delivered with remarkable precision. During his twelve song set I was pleasantly surprised by just how many of his songs I recognized beyond his monster hits “Sailing” and “Ride Like the Wind.” We heard stories in between the songs of some of the creative inspiration behind the songs, including his history with the members of Toto. Christopher Cross and members of Toto are deeply intertwined through decades of studio sessions, shared musical circles, and extensive touring together. Several members of Toto performed on Cross’ landmark debut record, making this tour lineup a natural pairing.

Toto took the stage to a roar from the crowd and captivated the audience from the start. With nearly five decades of material to construct a setlist from, their performance struck an ideal balance between their timeless radio staples and fan favorite deep cuts. Every song they played was someone’s favorite song and the song that person hoped to hear. It was evident on the smiling and singing faces in the crowd how much they appreciated the extraordinary level of musicianship on display with Toto. I extend my appreciation for an extra long guitar solo on their second song, the smash hit “Rosanna,” giving us photographers some welcome extra time in the photo pit. Based on the cheers, the fans enjoyed the extension just as much as we did.

The current 2026 touring lineup of Toto is a remarkable blend of legendary experience and world-class musicianship. Anchored by founding guitarist Steve Lukather and longtime vocalist Joseph Williams, the band is joined by an ensemble of elite touring musicians whose work spans rock, jazz, pop, and countless studio recordings. More than simply recreating classic recordings, the band performs with chemistry and the meticulousness that first established Toto as one of rock’s premier live and studio acts. Lukather’s signature guitar work was expressive and captivating, delivering solos that balanced technical brilliance with heartfelt emotion.

As the setlist progressed, the show became a walk down memory lane for many in attendance, myself included. Familiar melodies evoke memories of years past, proving that truly great songs never grow old. The band perfectly segued from the hard-driving punch of “Hold the Line” into an extended rendition of “Africa” with Christopher Cross joining in on vocals to close out a fantastic night of music.

I am always curious about the age demographics at the shows I go to and looking around the amphitheatre tonight, it was clear Toto’s audience spans generations. Fans who discovered the band on vinyl sat beside younger concertgoers who discovered Toto through their parents, streaming services, social media, and video games their songs were featured in. By the end of the night, age no longer mattered, as everyone was singing along together.

It was a great night filled with the music of my youth, music I have enjoyed for decades. Despite an ominous forecast that threatened to dampen the evening, the weather ultimately cooperated, leaving the crowd with little more than a passing sprinkle. Props to the venue’s sound team as each band sounded crisp and clean. From the photo pit we had fantastic lighting to work with. Whether you have followed Toto for decades or have recently discovered them, this tour serves as a powerful reminder that exceptional songwriting and world-class musicianship never go out of style. Remaining tour dates can be found here. \m/

Toto setlist, August 1, 2026:

Goodbye Elenore
Rosanna
Hydra
Georgy Porgy
I Won’t Hold You Back
Endless
Kingdom of Desire
Pamela
I’ll Be Over You
I’ll Supply the Love
Taint Your World
Hold the Line
Africa (with Christopher Cross)