Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater was in full summer mode Friday night (8/15/25) as three pillars of late-’70s/’80s pop-rock: Toto, Christopher Cross, and Men at Work rolled into town for a crisp, hit-studded show. Men at Work opened the show with an impressive amount of hits packed with nostalgic sound. It was a true honor to be able to see Colin Hay in his element as the band ran through their set. Hearing the sax on “Who Can it Be Now” felt like I had obtained an Xbox Live Achievement. Christopher Cross followed and turned the riverfront into a masterclass of style and grace. The stage was painted in the lightest color purple that matched Cross’s vest and guitars. An absolute powerhouse of light rock, Cross dazzled the crowd with “Sailing” and then hit us with the anthem “Ride Like The Wind.” I noticed they had three backup singers to handle Michael McDonald’s lush harmonies. The set was a clinic in dynamics and arrangement: minimal gestures, maximum payoff. Toto closed with a career spanning set that threaded the musicians’ favorites and undeniable hits everyone knows and loves. The band sounded amazing the whole night but one thing I personally noticed was how lush the synths were. You could almost feel the music as they were busting through their catalog. Everyone should see “Africa” live if they get the lucky chance.

Photos and review by I’m music Magazine Photographer/Writer Kris Cagle:

MEN AT WORK

CHRISTOPHER CROSS

TOTO