Specific dates for those shows impacted follows below, alongside on-sale plans for new events not public prior. Steve Lukather shares, “In the interests of approaching the band’s activities with health as the primary concern for the fans, band, crew and all impacted when we commence activities, this was an easy decision to make. After four and half decades on the road, it’s been challenging living the past 14 months in isolation. As much as Joe, myself, the band, and the crew would love to be active again, The World is still navigating the challenges that face all of us. We’ll continue to announce shows so keep an eye out for confirmation that will be shared in the coming months. We look forward to getting overseas come 2022.”
Joining Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams for the next chapter in their indelible history are new band members bassist John Pierce (Huey Lewis and The News), drummer Robert “Sput” Searight (Ghost-Note / Snarky Puppy), and keyboardist / background vocalist Steve Maggiora (Robert Jon & The Wreck). Keyboardist Dominique “Xavier” Taplin (Prince, Ghost-Note) and multi-instrumentalist / vocalist Warren Ham (Ringo Starr) segued over continuing their tenure in the ensemble. This line-up marks the fifteenth incarnation of Toto in consideration of band members or sidemen who joined or exited.
Luke shares, “When the music is performed by great musicians it honors Toto. Looking forward, we’ll be selecting a broader mix from the Toto catalog that includes deep cuts, the hits, and tunes from Joe and my recently released solo albums. Both of us could not be more thrilled with the global response to these records. They charted all over the world, and integrating some of the music in to the new Toto set will bring fresh spice to the Toto: The Dogz of Oz World Tour. Simply, both of us aim to bring the past Toto to the present and beyond.” Joe Williams offers, “It’s always a complete joy to perform a Toto show, and the model holds strong and true. A band of the very best musicians and singers writing and performing all manner of cool songs. That’s how it began, and that’s how it continues. Soon we’ll to get back out to you, on stage, in the flesh expanding our set with some even deeper ‘legacy’ cuts as well as some new stuff from Luke’s and my new records. We can’t wait!”
Luke and Joseph Williams are life-long friends since they were kids, and bandmates sharing a deep colorful history that has thrived professionally on a global basis over the past decades. Luke reflects, “We could not be more at peace with this move. There is a refreshing, optimistic enthusiasm to step in to the future. At this moment, Joe and I are the only long-tenured members of the band that want to be on the road continuing to bring music to our multi-generational fan base. I’ve spent almost four and a half decades of my life as the only original member who never missed a show or an album nurturing this legacy while enabling the music to continually exist in the live concert setting. That is something I’ll never stop doing, and when we inevitably return to the road it presents a rare opportunity to reimagine our personal futures while simultaneously preserving the deep connection that exists with the audience while likewise yielding continual discovery.”
On February 26th, Luke and Joe presented solo albums via The Players Club / Mascot Label Group which charted in multiple territories across the globe. Both artists made significant contributions to the other’s recordings. Additionally, David Paich performed on select tracks on Luke’s I Found The Sun Again and Williams’ Denizen Tenant. The titles were released on LP, CD and a limited-edition deluxe edition is available with the two titles bundled together. Available here: https://smarturl.it/Steve-Lukather and https://smarturl.it/JosephWilliams.
Confirmed appearances include:
14 July, 2022 Bonn, Germany KunstRasen
15 July, 2022 Amsterdam, Netherlands Ziggodome
16 July, 2022 Halle, Germany Peißnitzinsel
19 July, 2022 Pratteln, Switzerland Z-7 Summer Nights
20 July, 2022 Tussling, Germany Schlossplatz
21 July, 2022 Middelkerke, Belgium Proximus Pop-Up Arena
23 July, 2022 Vitrolles, France Festival Jardin Sonore
28 July, 2022 Schwetzingen, Germany Schlossgarten
29 July, 2022 Graz, Austria Messe Open Air
31 July, 2022 Warsaw, Poland Torwar
10 August, 2022 Helsingborg, Sweden Sofiero Castle
11 August, 2022 Viborg, Denmark Paradepladsen
13 August, 2022 Copenhagen, Denmark Royal Arena
14 August, 2022 Gothenburg, Sweden Partille Arena
