Artpark’s Tuesday in the Park concert series came to a close this past week with a double header of classic rock featuring Toto and Michael McDonald. Both headliners in their own right, the performances were delivered with the energy and enthusiasm that Artpark has become so familiar with this past year. Charged with the responsibility of closing such a monumental concert series would be a challenge for any performer and with Michael McDonald and Toto, Artpark patrons were not disappointed. Kicking off the show at 6:30 sharp, Toto burst onto the stage with a hit laden, high energy set featuring many of the band’s greatest hits.
Steve Lukather, who had played Artpark earlier in the summer as part of Ringo Starr’s All Star Band, delivered masterful solos and was very much engaged with the audience throughout the show. This exchange between the audience and band released an energy into the air that helped set the tone for the entire show. Songs such as “Rosanna” and “White Sister” had the audience clapping and dancing with joy.
Fans even had a taste of what was to come when Michael McDonald joined the band on stage to perform the classic Toto hit “I’ll Be Over You”. The highlight song of the set though was undoubtedly “Africa” which showcased Joseph Williams pitch perfect vocals and made the hair on the back of the audience’s necks stand up. Toto’s performance featured everything a rock fan looks for and more.
After a brief intermission between sets, Michael McDonald took center stage and began his show with a stirring rendition of “Blink of An Eye”. This set the tone for what would be a great night of soulful music. McDonald, who is perhaps best known for his collaborations and his time with the Doobie Brothers, proved that his solo work ought to be equally commended. Songs such as “Sweet Freedom” and “Obsession Blues” demonstrated why McDonald is such a desirable artist to work with and why a classic band such as the Doobie Brothers would want McDonald’s baritone voice to be included in their iconic sound.
When watching McDonald perform you can tell the music is being sung straight from the heart. He even took time between songs to talk with the audience and joked that “here’s a song that I hope you remember, and at my age I hope I remember” before starting his 1982 hit “I Keep Forgettin’ “. After the main set, McDonald brought Toto back onstage to perform a memorable encore featuring covers from Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder and The Doobie Brothers.
While onstage together you can see the respect Toto and Michael McDonald have for each other which made for a gratifying concert experience. Michael McDonald and Toto undeniably rose to the challenge of closing the highly successful Tuesday in the Park concert series in Lewiston. In a summer that has had a former Beatle and the Queen of Soul, McDonald and Toto were among some of the biggest names in the music business to grace the same stage. The pair of musical giants provided an extraordinary performance that was greatly appreciated by all in attendance.
Setlist:
Michael McDonald setlist:
Blink Of An Eye
It Keeps You Runnin’(The Doobie Brothers song)
Sweet Freedom
I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)
Obsession Blues
Ya Mo Be There
Minute By Minute(The Doobie Brothers song)
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell Cover)
This Is It
What A Fool Believes
Encore w/ Toto:
Change the World (Eric Clapton Cover)
You Haven’t Done Nothin’/ Superstition (Stevie Wonder Medley)
Takin’ It to the Streets(The Doobie Brothers song)
Toto setlist:
On The Run/ Child’s Anthem/ Goodbye Elenore Rosanna
Hydra
I’ll Be Over You (w/Michael McDonald)
Pamela
99
The Muse
White Sister
Georgy Porgy
Home of the Brave
Africa
Hold the Line
Photos by BackstageAxxess Correspondent Joe Saccomanno. We would like to thank Maria Hays at Artpark for the credentials for this show and the entire season at Artpark!
