BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Jeff Lynne opened ELO’s farewell tour with a show at the Utilita Arena in his hometown of Birmingham on July 5, performing without a guitar because of a broken left hand.
Despite the injury, the 77-year-old musician delivered a 22-song set, marking the first of two performances at the venue as part of the Over and Out Tour. Special guest Dhani Harrison joined Lynne for two Traveling Wilburys songs, “Handle With Care” and “End of the Line.” The concert also featured several ELO classics and The Move’s “Do Ya.”
“I’ve had a guitar in my hand all my life, but not tonight,” Lynne told the supportive audience. “Nothing would keep me away from you,” he added. Lynne did not disclose how he sustained the injury, though fans on social media speculated a taxi door was involved.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO is scheduled to perform in Manchester on July 9 before concluding the tour at London’s Hyde Park on July 13, the site of the band’s live return in 2014. “My return to touring began at Hyde Park,” Lynne said in last year’s tour announcement. “It seems like the perfect place to do our final show. We couldn’t be more excited to share this special night in London with our UK fans. As the song goes, ‘We’re gonna do it one more time!’”
Set List for Jeff Lynne’s ELO at Utilita Arena, Birmingham, UK, July 5:
1. “One More Time”
2. “Evil Woman”
3. “Do Ya”
4. “Showdown”
5. “Last Train to London”
6. “Believe Me Now”
7. “Steppin’ Out”
8. “Rockaria!”
9. “10538 Overture”
10. “Strange Magic”
11. “Sweet Talkin’ Woman”
12. “Handle With Care”
13. “End of the Line”
14. “Can’t Get It Out of My Head”
15. “Fire on High”
16. “Livin’ Thing”
17. “Telephone Line”
18. “All Over the World”
19. “Turn to Stone”
20. “Shine a Little Love”
21. “Don’t Bring Me Down”
22. “Mr. Blue Sky”