PETER AMISANO | Go Venue Magazine
On August 24, 2026, at Morton Amphitheater just outside Kansas City, three very different bands turned an otherwise ordinary Monday night into a celebration of nearly five decades of American pop and rock music.
The evening began with The Romantics, bringing back those hard-hitting drums, retro guitar and classic hooks. Their music has always had a directness; songs like “Rock You Up” and “When I Look in Your Eyes” demand audience participation.
“Talking in Your Sleep” and, inevitably, “What I Like About You” were among the night’s most infectious moments. The latter remains almost impossible to resist live. It is one of those songs that can turn a seated amphitheater into a room full of people on their feet, singing and it did.
If The Romantics supplied the evening’s youthful energy, Christopher Cross supplied its elegance.
Cross’s music occupies a particularly interesting place in the history of popular music. His 1980 debut wasn’t simply successful—it was historic, earning five Grammys, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
More than four decades later, songs such as “Sailing,” “Ride Like the Wind,” “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” and “Never Be the Same” have acquired something beyond nostalgia. They have become atmosphere.
“Sailing” was especially effective in an outdoor amphitheater setting. Its gentle melody and spacious arrangement seemed almost designed for a summer evening, while “Ride Like the Wind” provided a welcome change of pace and demonstrated the musicianship behind Cross’s smooth pop exterior.
Then came Toto, and suddenly the evening became a master class in musicianship.
Led by the enduring partnership of guitarist Steve Lukather and vocalist Joseph Williams, Toto remains one of those bands that musicians seem to admire at least as much as the general public does. Their biggest songs are familiar, but hearing them performed live reveals just how much is going on beneath those familiar melodies.
“Rosanna,” “Hydra,” “I’ll Be Over You,” “Hold the Line” and “Africa” are not simply greatest-hits selections. They are showcases for arrangements that have aged remarkably well.
Lukather remains the centerpiece, bringing both technical precision and rock-and-roll bite to the guitar parts. Williams, meanwhile, gives Toto’s material the vocal power it requires. The result is polished without feeling overly clinical.
The most memorable moment of the night came when the three acts ultimately shared the stage for the finale. After spending the evening moving through three distinct musical worlds, The Romantics, Christopher Cross and Toto came together, turning the ending into a genuine celebration rather than simply another encore. The performance brought the evening full circle.
The night wasn’t really about reliving 1980. It was about discovering that music from that period still works in 2026.
Toto
Christopher Cross
The Romantics
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