Melbourne, Australia Gig 07/03/2008

[hydraturnback]

Hi All,

Went to the Gig on Friday night 07/03/08 at the Palais, Melbourne and it was a great night.

The venue is a tough one - it is an all seater venue (similar to the Royal Albert Hall in London UK - that was another great gig) and Luke and the guys had to work VERY hard to get people involved.

There was a great moment towards the start of the set when the security guards told everyone to sit down during "Gypsy Train" (and people did) - then when the song had finished Luke proclaimed:

"Everyone get up and dance - FUCK THAT GUY!!" and the middle finger went up DIRECTLY at that dude...

I seriously couldnt stop laughing....and the security presence pretty much vanished after that..

However, the one thing that really came out of the gig was how much Luke and the guys REALLY cared how they came across to the crowd.
It is one thing being professional, but you could see that they seriously WORKED the crowd to get them involved.
It just goes to show that there are artists out there just for the money..but not these guys...

Also, it was a slightly different setlist to the DVD - not sure if it was the right start for this crowd/venue - as I say the first song was Gypsy Train. Maybe would have been better with FIB?? That seemed to get the crowd moving and was maybe...song 4 or 5 (can't quite remember)

The band sounded great - and Bobby was in fine form - there was also FANTASTIC improvisation on stage. Just wonderful.

There was a meet and greet that didn't quite go to plan, but I hear that the few that got in afterwards had a great night meeting Luke, Lee and Bobby. A little disapointing for me, but the night was fantastic as is and I had a great evening.
Maybe there will be a next time to meet the band....we will see...

Anyway, that was my thoughts...

Peace
hydra

[WalrusOct9]

Seats are for pussies. Go Luke.

As much of a pain as it is to see Toto in the States, the shows I've been to were all standing-only, at least in the area right in front of the stage, and the shows were all the better for it.

[LtVanish]

Any suprise songs added to the setlist? Reading Luke's interview with Andrew he said they were going to add some songs to rock up the setlist.

[hydraturnback]

Seats are for pussies. Go Luke.

As much of a pain as it is to see Toto in the States, the shows I've been to were all standing-only, at least in the area right in front of the stage, and the shows were all the better for it.

It seems to make it a much better gig.

When TOTO played here last (2006) it was at the Palace theatre (which burnt down in 2007) and that was a standing gig only, with people pushing to the front of the stage and going WILD!!!

The Palais is a much more 'tuned down' gig - so in that respect it was a shame - however it was still a tight gig in all respects - and the music was fantastic...

[hydraturnback]

Any suprise songs added to the setlist? Reading Luke's interview with Andrew he said they were going to add some songs to rock up the setlist.

Well, as I said they started with Gypsy Train instead of FIB. The set was certainly more ROCK than the DVD.

For all that has seen the DVD, they left out the "acoustic set" but DID play Stop Loving You in full (with the full band and Spinner on lead vox) and that was fantastic!! There was nothing else really that was a surprise, however Drag Him to The Roof included Luke walking around the stage indicating at each band member to do a solo spot by random. That was a JOY to see as it was improvisation at it's most "off the cuff'' But that was the major change to the DVD....

However LUKE did mention that Mike P had a hand injury "and other stuff" going on - hence he couldnt make the gig...
So not quite sure when we will see him again....