Toto Tickets

Toto are bringing the Dogs Of Oz World Tour to Australia in April for Bluesfest and headline shows. Read on to learn all you need to know and grab tickets

About this Event

As far as epic musical journeys go, legendary rock band Toto is responsible for some of the bigger ones. The band brings their spectacular Dogs of Oz World Tour from the heart of Africa (well, metaphorically speaking) all the way to Australian shores. After a seven-year hiatus, the band is finally returning to bless our ears with their timeless hits.

The Grammy-winning group behind the iconic "Africa" and "Rosanna" is popping into Byron Bay's Bluesfest, and then they're treating Aussie fans to two massive headline shows. Mark your calendars for April 16th at Melbourne's John Cain Arena and April 19th at Sydney's ICC Theatre, where they'll be joined by none other than sailing enthusiast and five-time Grammy winner Christopher Cross.

Steve Lukather and the boys are chomping at the bit to reconnect with their Australian faithful, and their last Aussie shows were absolute corkers, showcasing their signature genre-bending style and instrumental wizardry that's kept audiences spellbound for decades.

The history of Toto

Born in the streets of Los Angeles, Toto's story begins with a bunch of high school mates who happened to be musical prodigies. David Paich, Steve Lukather, and the Porcaro brothers (Jeff and Steve) started out sending demo tapes to anyone who'd listen. The band's name? A late-night viewing of "The Wizard of Oz" led to what was meant to be a temporary solution – but when the contract came through with "Toto" printed in black and white, they were stuck with it.

These session musicians-turned-rockstars proved their mettle right out of the gate. Their 1978 debut single "Hold the Line" crashed into the Top 5, showing the world these studio wizards could create magic of their own. But by 1982, after three albums, the record company was breathing down their necks. The pressure was on to deliver or pack it in.

Their response? The masterpiece "Toto IV." Ironically, the album's crowning glory, "Africa," almost didn't make the cut – it was the last song added to complete the nine-track requirement. The gamble paid off spectacularly, with both "Africa" and "Rosanna" becoming global sensations. The latter, partly inspired by actress Rosanna Arquette (then dating band member Steve Porcaro), showcased their knack for crafting infectious melodies.

Behind the scenes, Toto's fingerprints were everywhere in the music industry. From Olivia Newton-John to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (where Steve Lukather laid down every guitar track except Eddie Van Halen's famous solo), they've contributed to thousands of recordings. Lukather alone has played on somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000 albums.

Fourteen studio albums later, Toto has sold over 40 million records worldwide. Despite critics initially dismissing them (one memorably compared their sound to a "tangerine leisure suit"), their commitment to crafting quality music and their unbreakable bond has kept them going strong for more than four decades.

The return of the new Toto

After a major shakeup in 2019 that saw the end of Toto as fans knew it, the legendary band has emerged with fresh energy and a new lineup. The transformation was born from a perfect storm of litigation, creative differences, and personal tensions that came to a head during their final show in Philadelphia that October.

The revitalised Toto centres around the dynamic duo of Steve Lukather, the band's only constant member since its 1976 inception, and Joseph Williams, whose friendship with Lukather dates back to their teenage years. While founding member David Paich remains involved behind the scenes, contributing to recordings and occasional local performances, medical concerns keep him from full-time touring.

The new incarnation, playfully dubbed "The Dogz of Oz," brings together an impressive roster of talent. Snarky Puppy's drummer Robert "Sput" Searight brings fresh rhythmic energy, while bassist John Pierce (a high school friend of Lukather's and Huey Lewis band veteran) provides the low end. The keyboard section features the dynamic duo of Steve Maggiora and former Prince collaborator Dominique "Xavier" Taplin, while multi-instrumentalist Warren Ham rounds out the lineup with his versatile contributions on vocals, reeds, and harmonica.

This reimagining of Toto represents a strategic shift in how the band operates. By streamlining their operation and keeping management in-house, they've created a more sustainable model that allows them to continue bringing their music to fans worldwide. It's a new chapter for a band that's proven time and again their ability to adapt and evolve while maintaining their musical excellence.

The David Paich solo record

After decades of creating hits with Toto, founding member David Paich finally stepped into the spotlight with his debut solo album "Forgotten Toys" in 2022. The project emerged organically, spurred on by bandmates Steve Lukather and Joseph Williams, who were working on their solo ventures just before the pandemic hit. They encouraged Paich to explore a different side of his musicality.

During the Covid lockdown, Paich dusted off fragments of songs from his "digital closet" – pieces that had been waiting for their moment to shine. While originally considering the title "Broken Toys," his wife suggested these weren't broken songs, just forgotten ones, leading to the album's final name. The cover art, conceptualised by Mrs. Paich, features a collection of cherished memorabilia and small toys, creating a nostalgic visual representation of these rediscovered musical gems.

The album became a family affair in more ways than one, featuring a surprise vocal contribution from Paich's daughter Elizabeth on "The First Time," a song about her coming of age. The project also brought together an impressive roster of guest artists, including Michael McDonald, Brian Eno, Don Felder, Ray Parker Jr., and Steve Jordan of the Rolling Stones. The result is an intimate glimpse into another facet of this legendary songwriter's musical journey.

How to get tickets to the Toto Australian tour

If all of this has you amped up for some Toto goodness (as it should) you’ll want to head over to our dedicated Toto Australian tour tickets page to find the best available spots at the best prices. We’ve blessed the rains (of tickets) so you can have an amazing night with Toto!