“Over And Out”: Jeff Lynne’s ELO fires up first of two United Center goodbyes with a bang

ELO Photos by Andy Argyrakis

As the leader of Electric Light Orchestra, Jeff Lynne created a distinctive universe where orchestral pop, art rock with progressive tendencies and the occasional disco ball drop dominated much of the 1970s into the ‘80s.

He of course went on to join the Traveling Wilburys supergroup alongside George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty, while also producing the latter pair and even assembled The Beatles’ “Anthology” singles.

ELOIt’s no wonder why when he put Jeff Lynne’s ELO together after nearly 40 years off the road, demand shot through the roof, which considering the “Over And Out” is said to be the grand finale of them all, resulted in a pair of packed United Center shows.

Though there’s one final local chance to wave goodbye on Saturday, September 27, the first night went out with a bang thanks to 90 airtight minutes of pretty much all the major moments for the endlessly innovative Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.

“One More Time” was a fitting way to begin as the band’s signature logo descended on a screen, framed by a gigantic replica album art spaceship, and Lynne led the latest cast of a dozen exceptional musicians/singers under the direction of Mike Stevens.

They quickly launched into the classics “Evil Woman” and “Do Ya” with not only a mighty wall of sound, but superbly stacked harmonies that closely mirrored the original recordings.

ELO kept “Steppin’ Out” before boarding the “Last Train To London” and mounting a full-blown “Rockaria!,” yet classical elements were just as common, especially throughout “10538 Overture.”

From there, the troupe fired up the grooves of “Strange Magic” and “Sweet Talkin’ Woman,” then switched gears to the more psychedelically-minded “Can’t Get It Out Of My Head.”

ELODespite the majority of the tracks dating back to the prior century, Jeff Lynne’s ELO was absolutely still a “Livin’ Thing” whose groundbreaking presence continues to be felt “All Over The World.”

And they definitely didn’t leave anyone disappointed thanks to a laser-etched stretch of “Turn To Stone,” “Shine A Little Love,” “Don’t Bring Me Down” and an encore of “Mr. Blue Sky” that seemed so precise, the forthcoming forecast is looking as clear it could possibly be.


For additional information on Jeff Lynne’s ELO, visit JeffLynnesELO.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation concerts, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the United Center include Jeff Lynne’s ELO (Sept. 28); Charli XCX and Troye Sivan (Sept. 30); Twenty One Pilots (Oct. 1-2); Peso Pluma (Oct. 5-6); $uicideboy$ (Oct. 8); Maxwell (Oct. 10); Jelly Roll (Oct. 11); Sabrina Carpenter (Oct. 13); Lil Durk (Oct. 20); Maggie Rogers (Oct. 24); Justin Timberlake (Oct. 27); Usher (Oct. 28, 29 and 31); Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (Nov. 1); Stevie Wonder (Nov. 2); Marco Antonio Solís (Nov. 3); Sebastian Maniscalco (Nov. 8-9); Billie Eilish (Nov. 13-14); Maverick City Music (Nov. 16); Rod Wave (Nov. 18); Cyndi Lauper (Dec. 5) and Shakira (Dec. 14). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.