US Hitmakers Toto announce NZ tour as part of new annual summer concert series

Toto are set to hit the stage in Hawke's Bay next year. Photo/Scott Richie

Toto - the legends behind some of the most well-known songs in history - are set to grace the stage at Hawke's Bay's Church Road Winery next year, as part of a four-date summer tour.

Presented by Neptune Entertainment and The Breeze, the Toto tour will be the first-ever in what will be an annual summer concert series called "A Summer's Day Live", which will feature major international artists from the past four decades.

Loved for hits such as Rosanna, Africa and Hold The Line, the band has released 17 studio albums, and sold more than 40 million records worldwide, since forming in the 1970s.

They have recently been making waves having earlier this year dropped a greatest hits package titled 40 Trips Around The Sun, featuring three new songs, Spanish Sea, Alone and Struck By Lightning from the core team of Steve Lukather, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, Joseph Williams.

The group have also toured extensively on the back of the release, performing to packed houses across Europe, including sold-out shows at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam and the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Promoter Toby Burrows said Neptune Entertainment was excited to have secured such an iconic band to launch the "A Summer's Day Live" series.

"We have been wanting to bring Toto to NZ for some time, and being able to place them in amazing outdoor venues in the heart of summer is the perfect fit."

Kiwi favourites Dragon will support Toto, with another exciting headliner still to be announced. The Kiwi rockers are behind hits such as April Sun in Cuba, Are You Old Enough, Rain and Still In Love With You.

They were inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame in 2011, and with Todd Hunter and Mark Williams at the helm they continue to delight Kiwi crowds.

A Summer's Day Live - featuring Toto and Dragon:
ASB Bay Park, Mount Maunganui - January 9

Church Road, Napier - January 10

TSB Bowl Of Brooklands, New Plymouth - January 11

Hagley Park, Christchurch - January 13

Tickets go on sale on August 13 at neptuneentertainment.co.nz