Welcome to North Coast Music Beat!
You'll find enticing reviews, unique interviews, amazing photos and an eye on new artists!

August 8, 2025

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Toto brought their legendary songs and fantastic musicianship to Blossom Music Center last night.  Kicking off their set was the wonderful instrumental "Child's Anthem" which segued right into "Carmen."

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"Rosanna" got everyone on their feet and singing along to this early '80s classic tune.  Guitarist Steve Lukather told the audience that it was great to be back at Blossom noting that the first time he played here was in 1977 as a  touring member with Boz Scaggs when he was just a teenager. 

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Several hits were played like "99," "I Won't Hold You Back" and "Georgie Porgie."  However the newest and youngest member of the band, Dennis Atlas got to show off his vocal skills on "Angel Don't Cry." 

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Long time vocalist, Joseph Williams got to shine on songs  like "Pamela" and "I'll Be Over You."

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The group saved the heavy hitters for the end of the show as "I'll Supply The Love," "Hold The Line" and "Africa" which featured Colin Hay, closed out the show on a great evening of classic rock and roll.

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Christopher Cross opened up the show with a nine song set that really set the tone for a great evening of music from the '70s and '80s.  Songs like "Sailing" "Think of Laura" and "Ride Like The Wind" really hit the mark on this mostly middle-aged crowd.

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Men at Work was the second act on the bill and they almost stole the show.   

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Colin Hay, the only original member of the band, started thing off slowly with three songs that weren't that familiar to the audience, including a solo show.

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Hay did show his sense of humor as he told a story of standing in line at CVS and hearing one of his songs in the background.  He said to himself, "Don't you know who I am?  I'm a Grammy winning artist who has sold millions of albums!  No I didn't say that."  He then proceeded to give his birthday and take the super long CVS receipt. 

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Things picked up as he and the band played five hits in a row starting with "Overkill."

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Multi-instrumentalist, Scheila Gonzalez was the star of the night as she played keyboards, sang and hit all the right notes on the saxophone and flute.  

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The same can not be said for back up singer Cecilia Noel.  Wearing bright yellow and black pants and a yellow hat, she tried several times to steal the spotlight.  She danced and spun across the stage several times, like she was the star of the show.  She really was a distraction that took away from several fine performances.

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The songs themselves were the highlight of the set as "It's A Mistake," "Who Can It Be Now," "Down Under" and "Be Good Johnny" were expertly played.

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Review and photos by Greg Drugan

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