TOTO X Christopher Cross X The Romantics
TOTO in Philadelphia felt like a celebration between lifelong friends
The Highmark Mann is the perfect venue to see a roster this grandiose and have a full experience. Getting to see The Romantics, Christopher Cross, and TOTO all in one night is an amazing opportunity, and to be able to see a massive part of music history perform on a stage where the Philadelphia skyline is just off to the side is the perfect addition. The three groups performing feel like they were carefully picked to be paired together since their synergy seems so genuine. TOTO and Christopher Cross have been touring for years, creating a relationship that makes you feel like you’re getting to be a part of two groups of friends doing what they love the most.
The romantics opened the night with a run through of their greatest hits which contain some songs almost everyone has heard in their lifetime. Between “Talking in your sleep” and “What I like about you” it was obvious the whole pavilion knew every lyric to the songs that’s been with them through their lives. Most of the crowd was on the older side but that didn’t mean the younger generation was absent. There were people who were clearly there to enjoy something with their family, but there was a surprising amount of 20 year olds who came out to see a group of bands that was before their time.
Between the three sets they seemed to be equally long with nobody going into an extreme amount of length. It was a great pacing to be able to switch from old rock to yacht rock after the brief intermissions. Speaking of, Christopher Cross presented the calmest of the three sets, but kept the energy up in the beginning opening with “All Right”. Still continuing the set strong was “Never be the Same”, one of his most known songs to showcase he still has the same ability to sing at 75 years of age as he did back at his debut. One of the kings of yacht rock he stays extremely humble throughout his set, telling stories with the audience about how age has changed him but not in a way that truly upsets him.
After both opening acts had concluded, the TOTO banner was lowered from the back of the stage and the moment the lights dimmed the audience was ready for their headliner. The current TOTO roster is an elite group of studio musicians, the original roster having members, Steve Lukather, the guitarist who featured on several songs for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” including “Beat It”, Bobby Kimball, a legendary vocalist who is responsible for finding the bands unique vocal sound, and David Paich who features as the main vocalist who sang the studio version of “Africa”. Their new group still features Lukather, but also highlights new talent like Dennis Atlas. A 28 year old keyboardist who’s unique vocal ability allowed the band to once again perform “Endless”, a song they haven’t been able to find a member to perform for several years.
They way that this collection of musicians performs absolutely oozes with passion. It’s clear that all of them are loving every second of their shows. It helps that they talk to the audience like they should, like they’re people. They talk about their past in a way that is clearly unscripted and love to highlight the fact that they’re still friends to this day. The moment that absolutely rounded all of this together was their closing number for the night. During “Africa”, Christopher Cross and his backup singers came back out to help with the song. Lukather and Cross sing the chorus together with the rest of the 15,000 strong crowd of fans. The night felt like a grand celebration that everyone in attendance got to be a part of and is 100% part of a tour that long time fans should catch if possible.
Photos by Tristan Reiser
