Jeff Lynne kicks off final ELO tour in Birmingham despite broken hand

While Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne were saying goodbye a few miles down the road at Villa Park, fellow local hero Jeff Lynne kicked off his final UK tour at Birmingham's Utilita Arena on Saturday night (5th July).

The Electric Light Orchestra legend took to the stage in his home city despite having a broken left hand and being unable to play guitar.

Revealing he injured himself in a taxi crash in London, Jeff Lynne told the 15,800-strong Birmingham crowd: "I've had a guitar in my hand all my life but not tonight".

Vowing to carry on with Jeff Lynne’s ELO’s Over and Out farewell tour, 77-year-old Lynne added: "Nothing would keep me away from you”.

Undeterred by Lynne’s injury, the band played a set packed with Electric Light Orchestra classics including ‘Evil Woman’, ‘Sweet Talkin’ Woman’, ‘Livin’ Thing’, and the closing ‘Mr. Blue Sky’.

Jeff Lynne was also joined on stage by his late friend and band mate George Harrison’s son, Dhani, for versions of the Traveling Wilburys’ ‘Handle with Care’ and ‘End of the Line’.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO played a second sold-out show in Birmingham on Sunday (6th July), and they perform two gigs at Manchester Co-op Live on Wednesday and Thursday (9th and 10th July).

The arena shows are followed by Jeff Lynne’s ELO’s last-ever concert at American Express presents BST Hyde Park in London on Sunday 13th July. The bill also features The Doobie Brothers, Steven Winwood and Dhani Harrison.

Jeff Lynne's ELO kick off final tour in Birmingham:

Jeff Lynne’s ELO’s setlist at Birmingham Utilita Arena:

One More Time

Evil Woman

Do Ya (The Move cover)

Showdown

Last Train to London

Believe Me Now

Steppin' Out

Rockaria!

10538 Overture

Strange Magic

Sweet Talkin' Woman

Handle With Care (Traveling Wilburys cover with Dhani Harrison)

End of the Line (Traveling Wilburys cover with Dhani Harrison)

Can't Get It Out of My Head

Fire on High

Livin' Thing

Telephone Line

All Over the World

Turn to Stone

Shine a Little Love

Don't Bring Me Down

Encore:

Mr. Blue Sky

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