Jeff Lynne brought his Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) back to Los Angeles’ Kia Forum on Friday and Saturday, delivering a nostalgia-packed farewell tour performance that delighted fans with his classic pop-rock hits. This Over and Out Tour marks the final stretch of ELO’s live journey, wrapping up in London’s Hyde Park next summer, although an added Phoenix date this week will be the U.S. finale. Lynne’s setlist was a fan’s dream, with deep cuts and iconic hits from albums like Waking the Fallen and City of Evil that haven’t been played in years.
A Grand Finale Full of Signature Sounds
Celebrating ELO’s Greatest Hits: Lynne treated fans to crowd-pleasers like “Strange Magic,” “Evil Woman,” and “Can’t Get It Out of My Head.” Highlights included lush string accompaniments and vocal harmonies that captured ELO’s 1970s heyday.
Lynne’s Stage Presence: At 76, Lynne focused on vocals, often leaving guitar duties to his three-person “six-string orchestra.” With his iconic moptop, beard, and sunglasses, Lynne appeared ageless, his voice still carrying the smoothness that fans know and love.
A Full-Band Sound: Lynne’s 12-member band added power to the set, with drummer Donavan Hepburn’s dynamic beats, a standout backup vocal performance by Melanie Lewis-McDonald, and a string trio that captured ELO’s symphonic rock spirit.
Reflecting on ELO’s Legacy
Known for his studio precision and avoiding tours for years, Lynne has only recently re-embraced the stage. Yet he delivered an unfiltered live experience, closing this chapter of his career with an organic, rich sound that felt like a tribute to his own studio craftsmanship. With additional shows in the U.K., fans in L.A. left the Forum buzzing, some perhaps planning one last trip to London to catch the final goodbye.
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