TOTO, Christopher Cross & The Romantics at SPAC on July 16, 2026
Despite the notable atmospheric haze from Canadian wildfire smoke, the triple bill of TOTO, Christopher Cross, and The Romantics at the Albany Med Health System stage at SPAC made for a wonderful evening of music. The night not only nostalgically transported listeners back and re-kindled old memories, it also created an pleasant present vibe during an evening of three artists who had their heyday in the 80s, yet can still entertain the masses with their solid musicianship, well-crafted songs, and lively performances.
Detroit rockers The Romantics gave a high energy 10-song set that had people dancing from the first guitar power chords and harmonica of their catchy power-pop tune “Rock You Up” that kicked off the show, to their up-tempo punk rock “Bop,” their great cover of The Kinks “She’s Got Everything” to their final string of hits: “One in a Million,” “Talking in Your Sleep” and ‘What I Like About You,” which got the crowd chanting “Hey!” in all the right places. The Romantics are original founding members Wally Palmar (vocals/rhythm guitar/harmonica) and George “Coz” Canler (lead guitar/backing vocals), and recent members: Bruce Witkin (bass/backing vocals), Joey Malone (guitar/backing vocals), and Mike Rizzi (drums/percussion/backing vocals), the newest member (from the hamlet of Endwell, NY) replacing Blondie drummer Clem Burke in 2024 before his untimely death. [Their second drummer, David “Dave” Petratos, who played with them from 1984-1990, just passed away two days prior to this show on June 14, 2026.] For more information: https://www.theromanticsdetroit.com/
Christopher Cross put on an impressive show, with a backing band of talented musicians who were diligently dialed in. Before anyone starts throwing around unfortunate and inaccurate labels or categories like “Soft rock,” “Easy listening,” “AM radio,” “Adult Contemporary,” or (dare I even utter it) “Yacht Rock,” let me just say that Christopher Cross has proven over the years to be a unique artist, melodic songwriter, and dexterous guitar player, and he brought his A game. At 75, Cross hasn’t lost any of his vocal abilities, singing the songs with ease in the same relaxed yet lush style that defined his signature sound. Cross (clad in a white t-shirt, vest, and fedora) took center stage, encircled by various electric and acoustic guitars (which he switched for each song), three big amps, and monitors, and surrounded by his tight well-rehearsed touring band, consisting of three female backing vocalists (the dynamic Bella Hicks, long-time collaborator Lisbet Guldbaek, and Stephcynie – all in matching bedazzled green dresses), Curtiss Brengle on piano/keyboards, Spyro Gyra drummer Joel Rosenblatt, Kevin Reveyrand on bass, and Andy Suzuki (saxophones / flute), who played some sensational sax solos throughout the set. After the breezy “All Right,” his heartfelt ballad “Never Be the Same,” and a quick salutation from Cross, a snippet of audio from Dr. Martin Luther King’s historic “I Have A Dream” speech played over the PA, receiving cheers and applause, and set the stage for a poignant performance of the song “Dreamer,” which seemed to permeate through the amphitheater. Afterward, Cross asked the rapt audience to properly thank the entire crew and all those involved in the show before making formal band introductions. A beautifully executed piano intro then led into arguably his biggest hit ”Sailing.” Another familiar song that dominated the airwaves back-in-the-day, “Think of Laura” was next, and then “I Know You Well,” a wonderful duet with Bella Hicks, who exuded joy the entire night. Reveyrand and Suzuki played the next intro together on bass and sax, which led into “The Light Is On.” Cross dedicated “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” to Burt Bacharach, who passed away in 2023. Suzuki performed a spirited spot-on soaring sax solo in the song, that elicited a palpable awe and spontaneous applause. [NOTE: Steve Lukather and other members of TOTO played on the recording of “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)”.] At the start of the upbeat “Say You’ll Be Mine,” the crowd started clapping along, and this continued with the next song, his ubiquitous hit “Ride Like the Wind,” during which the sultry backup trio spread out and strolled to the edge of the stage, urging the clapping to continue, while Cross delivered a blistering guitar solo on his Fender Strat. Every time Cross sang, “I’ve got such a long way to go,” you could almost hear a collective Michael McDonald’s iconic “Such a long way to go” backing vocal wafting through the ether of the arena. The entire ensemble bowed together afterward, and Cross returned to his center spot with his Taylor guitar for a reprise of “Sailing,” only this time a quiet acoustic version, with Cross explaining, “Now it’s your turn. This is all you.” Although the song had already been played, it took on a fresh new meaning as Cross thumb-strummed (only accompanied by Suzuki’s gentle flute accents) and the congregation sang along, feeling the song’s sentiment of serenity, and affectively acquiescing when he hypothetically asks, “Won’t you believe in me?” Cross gave attendees everything they expected and more – surprising, impressing, and proving anyone wrong who may have wondered (or even doubted) how his introspective music – that melds sophisticated smooth Jazz, Pop, and R&B – would fit into the night’s rock showcase. For more information: https://www.christophercross.com/
I wasn’t sure how TOTO was going to follow Christopher Cross, but from low keyboard tone ushering in the band to stage, it was apparent something spectacular was coming. TOTO’s 2026 touring lineup features the legendary Steve Lukather (guitar/vocals), Joseph Williams (lead vocals/some keyboards), John Pierce (bass), multi-instrumentalist Warren Ham (TOTO’s “Swiss Army Knife” on horns/percussion/vocals), Keith Carlock (drums), Dennis Atlas (keyboards/vocals), and Rai Thistlethwayte (keyboards/vocals). Each of these musicians are at the top of their game – “pros” as Lukather would later call them during his formal introductions – and kept up with the intricate and complex beats, rhythms, and musicality of each of the songs, playing their parts and performing some amazing solos. Carlock was locked in all night and, along with Pierce’s rock solid bass playing, laid down the foundation that let the rest of the band shine.
At 65, Williams (the son of famed composer John Williams) can still belt out a tune, even hitting some high note right out of the gate. After the rocker “Goodbye Elenore” opened their set and grabbed everyone’s attention, the familiar beat and rhythm of “Rosanna” put patrons in an even more joyful mood, Lukather singing the verses and the crowd singing along with the “Meet you half the way!” part. “Are you feeling funky?” Lukather cheekily asked afterward, before they launched into “Gorgy Porgy,” a seventies R&B/Soul style number that had people swayin’, movin’, and groovin’. Not only did keyboardist Dennis Atlas get a solo keyboard spotlight (as did Thistlethwayte), but he also took the lead on “Endless,” with some incredibly high vocals in league with any 80s arena rock lead singer, and roamed around owning the stage with a wireless mic captivating the audience for the entirety of the song. Williams held his own throughout the night, even hitting the high notes on the “It’s not in the way you say you’re mine – Oooo” line in “Hold the Line.” It was a joy to bear witness to Lukather’s intense sophistication and dexterity on guitar. He kept his guitar tech busy, switching guitars in between each song, and had some mind-blowing guitar solos during their performance, especially on “Hydra” (with its intricate guitar-keyboard syncopation), “Kingdom of Desire” (on which he also sang lead), “Pamela” (where he dueled with keyboardist Thistlethwayte who was up to the task), and “I’ll Be Over You” (a power ballad that had him bending the strings, while Williams got everyone engaging and swaying their cell phone lights).
During the band introductions, Lukather explained that Williams provided the voice for the adult Simba in The Lion King and sang on “Hakuna Matata,” which spurred Williams to sing into the mic (in character), “It means no worries for the rest of your days,” and giving an unapologetic shrug and grimace before the band kicked in the opening power guitar chords to “I’ll Supply the Love,” a late 70s hard rock classic from the band’s debut album. They kept the rock coming with “Taint Your World,” which led into a dynamic drum solo from Carlock (who played with precision all night a traditional left hand grip) before their tour-de-force rock anthem “Hold the Line,” Thistlethwayte playing the recognizable beginning staccato piano line to the explosive recognition of the audience. The band did not leave the stage to do the proverbial “encore wait” before their last number, but instead welcomed Wally Palmar of The Romantics, and Christopher Cross and his three backup singers back to the stage for the final closing extended version of “Africa.” The whole crowd sang along, danced, and basked in the splendor of the song’s hypnotic affect that seems to have transcended time. All in all, this four-hour trifecta concert exceeded expectations. It was a fantastic show, with an incredible amount of talent on one stage, making for a truly enjoyable and memorable music experience. For more information: https://totoofficial.com/
ROMANTICS SETLIST:
Rock You Up
Do Me Any Way You Wanna
When I Look in Your Eyes
Got Me Where You Want Me
Bop
She’s Got Everything (The Kinks cover)
Stone Pony
One in a Million
Talking in Your Sleep
What I Like About You
CHRISTOPHER CROSS SETLIST:
All Right
Never Be the Same
I Really Don’t Know Anymore
Dreamers
Sailing
Think of Laura
I Know You Well (Duet with Bella Hicks)
The Light Is On
Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)
Say You’ll Be Mine
Ride Like the Wind
ENCORE:
Sailing (acoustic)
TOTO SETLIST:
Goodbye Elenore
Rosanna
Hydra
Georgy Porgy
Keyboard Solo from Rai Thistlethwayte
I Won’t Hold You Back
Endless (sung by keyboardist Dennis Atlas)
Kingdom of Desire
Keyboard Solo from Dennis Atlas
Pamela
I’ll Be Over You
Band Introductions / snippet of “Hakuna Matata”
I’ll Supply the Love
Taint Your World / Keith Carlock drum solo
Hold the Line
Africa (with Wally Palmar of The Romantics, Christopher Cross, and 3 backup singers)