An in-depth look at the 2016 tour
Comments and Observations
Inspiration: This tour is Jeff Lynne's first real tour since 1982-- a full 34 year gap. He did three ELO shows in 1986 to support the Balance Of Power album, however it's difficult to label that as a tour as it was only three shows (four if one counts the Heartbeat 86 show). He also performed two full sets in front of an invited audience in 2001 to support the Zoom album, but the tour to support that album was cancelled. Many in the media at the time mistated the number of years since the last tour, stating periods such as 30 years (since Balance Of Power shows), 28 years (?) and 15 years (since Zoom shows).
The tour came about in large part because of the response to Jeff's appearance at the Hyde Park concert on September 14, 2014. Perhaps disappointed by lagging ticket sales for ELO in the early 1980s and the failure of the 2001 Zoom tour, Jeff lacked confidence that ELO could be a viable draw for live shows. He was encouraged to headline at the Hyde Park A Festival In A Day concert by BBC Radio personality Chris Evans. That went over so well that Jeff agreed to a full tour nearly two years later in support of the Alone In The Universe album, which was also inspired by the success of the Hyde Park show.
Schedule: It was prefaced by some smaller, intimate shows and promotional appearances in the UK and USA in late 2015, just as the album was released and it was at this time that the tickets for the April and May concerts went on sale. These include small concerts in Porchester Hall in London (November 9), BBC Radio Theatre in London (November 12), Irving Plaza in New York City (November 20) and Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles (November 24).
The tour was mainly of the UK only, covering 12 UK concerts in 8 UK cities, and four additional concerts in non-UK European cities during April and May. The London concerts were originally only two shows, but after quickly selling out, two additional nights were added to the schedule. The Dublin show on May 7, originally scheduled for April 29, was delayed by a week due to Jeff having some illness that wouldn't allow him to sing. There were a few additional late June shows in the UK, capped by the band's appearance at Somerset's Glastonbury Festival concert, filling the "Legends" slot on the pyramid stage and using a full orchestra. The only USA dates were scheduled for September, 2016: three at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and two at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. There was no extensive tour of the USA. This is largely due to the big resurgence of popularity of ELO in Europe, while little traction at all had occurred in the US.
The Band: The band itself was evolved from the band that played the 2014 Hyde Park show and the band that played in the late 2015 promotional appearances. Led by Jeff, only Richard Tandy from the original ELO was in the band, playing his usual piano and keyboards (and occasional vocoder). Mike Stevens acted as the musical director as well as providing guitar and backing vocals. The band was otherwise the same as the late 2015 promotional appearances with the exception of the string players. In late 2015, the two cellists and violinist were all local hires and varied from show to show as they were there mostly for show only and the real strings heard were generally handled by Marcus Byrne on keyboards. For the shows starting in April, genuine string players were hired with Jess Cox on cello and sisters Rosie and Amy Langley respectively played violin and cello. For Livin' Thing, Rosie Langley came to the front of the stage beside Jeff to play violin, particularly the violin segments on the opening and middle of the song. Otherwise, the string players stayed near the back of the stage throughout the show.
With Mike Stevens as musical director, the band rehearsed for several weeks in February and/or March, 2016 at an undisclosed location. Jeff flew over to England from America and rehearsed with the band the last two weeks before the first April gig. Several lucky fans were invited to the final rehearsal on April 4.
Between Mr. Blue Sky and Roll Over Beethoven, the band took advantage of the lull before the encore to take a selfie, showing the audience, and are posting it on Jeff Lynne's Facebook page.
The Hollywood Bowl Shows: The shows at the Hollywood Bowl had several added bonuses. First, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra joined in the show. This would be only the second time that ELO played with a full orchestra (the first being Hyde Park). Jess Cox and the Langley sisters were also at this show, sitting in their usual positions while the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra were behing the band, conducted by Thomas Wilkins, and using the bowl itself for natural amplification. In addition, Jeff's daughter Laura Lynne who lives in L.A. was featured in the show singing backing vocals for the first four/five songs and the closing Roll Over Beethoven. Jeff seemed extremely proud and happy to have his daughter on stage. Finally, the closing Roll Over Beethoven also featured a fireworks show, choreographed to the music.
The Songs: Other than a very few songs from the new Alone In The Universe album, the setlist was mostly a "greatest hits" collection. Also included were the songs Can't Get It Out Of My Head and Strange Magic which were both hits in USA, but only very minor hits in the UK. And also included was Secret Messages, a very minor worldwide hit and a song that ELO had never played live before. It is believed by some that Secret Messages was included in part as a special treat for the loyal fans in the audience, whereas casual fans might not have been as familiar with the song. All Over The World's inclusion was probably in part due to the great popularity of the All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra album which hit the sales of a million in UK sales during the tour.
Songs featured from the new Alone In The Universe album were featured more often in the early shows, but dwindled by the end of the tour. When I Was A Boy was performed at all shows. However, Ain't It A Drag was peformed until the May 1 show in Holland where it was dropped; and When The Night Comes was dropped for the April 14 Newcastle show, although it was brought back briefly for the June shows in Manchester and Birmingham. Love And Rain was performed at the first Hollywood Bowl show only.
The setlist changed little between the Europe and USA shows, other than a slight rearrangement of the order of the songs on the middle of the set. Several songs that were not USA singles at all, but were singles in the UK were left in the USA set.
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The back circular LED screen was used to display various images for each song, such as a space theme for Tightrope, a large moon over the water on Can't Get It Out Of My Head, and a large rotating UK Rockaria! single and ELO logo during Rockaria!. The space themes used were apparently supplied by Jeff friend and physicist, Brian Cox.
Additionally, the stage floor was another large oval-shaped LED screen with images shown there as well. Most times, these images were the same as what was projected from the back screen. During the performance of Mr. Blue Sky, a Birmingham City Football Club logo was projected onto the floor where Jeff was standing, in honor of his favorite football team, while the rest of the floor was typically projected with a blue, clouded sky. It was a subtle tribute, missed by many. These projection floor images were not used for the Glastonbury or Hollywood Bowl concerts as the stage set up could not allow it.
This lighting rig was not used for the Glastonbury Festival show, due to the limits of the pyramid stage. Instead a half circle backdrop was used, having similar (if not the same) graphics that were used on the regular tour shows. Probably due to the lighting rig not being used, graphics were used for Showdown and Shine A Little Love that weren't used for usual concerts with the lighting rig. In addition, the graphics used for 10538 Overture were changed starting at Glastonbury from a "flying over treetops" graphic to a barbed wire and chains graphic.
The Hollywood Bowl and Radio City Music Hall shows also changed up some of the backdrop displays. While the Radio City Music Hall used the same circular lighting rig as Europe, the Hollywood Bowl show used a rectangular screen only, due to the limits of the bowl stage (although taking advantage of unique light effects on and in the bowl itself). The one and only performance of Love And Rain used the raindrops effect that has been used for Showdown at Glastonbury. 10538 Overture and Shine A Little Love used the same graphics as Glastonbury, the barbed wire and glitter effect respecively. Otherwise, all graphics were the same.
It may be that the lack of use of the glitter effects on the back circular screen on Shine A Little Love was an error. It was noted that the glitter effects appeared on the floor of all the European shows, but not the back screen, which was left dark. Starting with Glastonbury, the glitter was used on the back screen. Could it be that this was malfuctioning on the earlier shows?
Reviews and Attendance: Details are not always clear on attendance as the numbers are not generally available to the public. One reports states that "Lynne submitted reports for his four nights at the O2 in London in 2016, grossing a whopping $6,633,847 (£4,617,195 local currency).
Reviews were all generally quite positive, expressing admiration, enthusiasm and nostalgia for the band. Although a review form The Guardian about the first London gig criticized it as "a little too perfect" and another review from The Guardian about the Glastonbury show indicated it was not very exciting and that it was not as well received as previous "Legends" slot artists.
Band and crew members
The band and crew on this tour were as shown below.
The Band (2015 Promotions) The Band (2016 Tour) The Crew (2016 Tour) Jeff Lynne: vocals, guitar
Richard Tandy: piano, keyboards, vocoder
Mike Stevens: musical director, guitar, backing vocals
Lee Pomeroy: bass, backing vocals
Milton McDonald: guitar, backing vocals
Bernie Smith: keyboards (except The Royal Variety Performance 2015 and CBS This Morning)
Marcus Byrne: keyboards
Donavan Hepburn: drums
Melanie Lewis-McDonald: backing vocals (except The One Show)
Iain Hornal: backing vocals, guitar, fire extinguisher
SEE BELOW FOR ALL STRING PLAYERSJeff Lynne: vocals, guitar
Richard Tandy: piano, keyboards, vocoder
Mike Stevens: musical director, guitar, backing vocals
Lee Pomeroy: bass, backing vocals
Milton McDonald: guitar, backing vocals
Bernie Smith: keyboards
Marcus Byrne: keyboards
Donavan Hepburn: drums
Melanie Lewis-McDonald: backing vocals
Iain Hornal: backing vocals, co-lead vocals, guitar, fire extinguisher
Rosie Langley: violin
Amy Langley: cello
Jess Cox: cello
Gita Langley: violin (Glastonbury only)
Catriona Parker: violin (Glastonbury only)
Oliver Langford: violin (Glastonbury only)
Kit Massey: violin (Glastonbury only)
Max Y Milian Baillie: violin (Glastonbury only)
Amy Stanford: viola (Glastonbury only)
Clifton Harrison: viola (Glastonbury only)
Llinos Mai Richards: cello (Glastonbury only)
Rhian Porter: cello (Glastonbury only)
Rachael Lander: cello (Glastonbury only)
Richard Fernandez: Jeff Lynne tour manager
Linda Betesh: band tour manager
Phil Hatton: assistant to Jeff Lynne
Steve Jay: broadcast engineer
Keith Dean: tour accountant
Wez Wearing: production manager
Zoe Buttling: production coordinator
Georgie King: production assistant
Johannes Soelter: stage manager
Kevin Fallows: head of security
Becky Vaughn: accreditation
Sarah Yeoman: merchandise manager
Martin Gehring: head rigger
Sebastian Pichel: rigging
Steve Lutley: monitor engineer
Gary Bradshaw: FOH engineer
Glen Fuller: monitor engineer
Ohno Ooms: FOH technician
Craig Bruce: FOH system designer
Richie Gough: wingman
Finbarr Neenan: wingman
Morten Thobro: guitar technician
Howard Barrett: drum technician
Chris Lawson: guitar technician
Steve Gray: keyboard technician
Matt Cox: programming
Andy Tonks: LED crew chief
Jack Middlebrook: projectionist
Richard Doran: LED technician
Carl Stage: LED technician
Adrian Grau: system engineer
Luke Collins: D3 programmer Matt Askem: video director
Richie Shipman: D3 producer
Ian Lomas: lighting crew chief
Matt Pitman: lighting operator
Neil Frazer: lighting technician
David Wolstenholme: lighting technician
Jamie Catt: lighting technician
Mark Cooper: lighting technician
Chris Aram: set carpenter
Simon Rackham: set carpenter
Steve Jeffrey: set carpenter
Thomas Vallis: laser technician
Stefan Warner: dressing rooms
Kevin Rowbotham: dressing rooms
Phil Gurney: bus driver, crew
Steve "Clarkie": bus driver, crew
John Boyes: bus driver, crew
Mike Herring: bus driver, crew
Chris Moulson: bus driver, crew
Scott Cooper: lead truck driver
David Cuss: truck driver
Peter Cooke: truck driver
Steve Crawley: truck driver
Dave Anderson: truck driver
Sharon Cooper: truck driver
Mike Emery: truck driver
John McKenna: truck driver
Ben Howarth: truck driver
Calvin Wade: truck driver
Tony Allard: truck driver
David Dean: truck driver
2015 String Players Artist Grammy Awards show TFI Friday Porchester Hall The One Show BBC In Concert Royal Variety Performance CBS This Morning The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Irving Plaza Jimmy Kimmel Live Fonda Theatre Ellie Stanford (violin) Yes Yes Gita Langley (violin) Yes Yes Leah Zeger (violin) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Amy Langley (cello) Yes Yes Yes Yes Rachael Lander (cello) Yes Yes Yes Tasia Hodges (cello) Yes Leah Metzler (cello) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes The BBC Orchestra
(8 violins 2 violas and 2 cello)Yes
Besides adding guitar and backing vocals, Mike Stevens was the show's musical director, being reponsible for gathering the musicians and directing the band on stage. He can be given a lot of credit for helping to form the touring band. He had first joined Jeff and Richard for the November 2013 Children In Need ROCKS program, bringing together much of Take That and Gary Barlow's touring band. Although this was only two songs, it proved successful enough of a partnership that Mike and much of the same group of talented musicians was brought together for the highly successful 2014 Hyde Park concert, and eventually, the Alone In The Universe tour. Prior to this, Mike's career included being the musical director and producer for Annie Lennox as well as several other bands in the 1990s and 2000s.
Lee Pomeroy hails from London and is an in-demand bass player. He has played live and session work for Take That and Gary Barlow and was the touring bassist for Yes at the same time he was touring for Jeff Lynne's ELO. He also has his own band, Headspace.
The main guitarist besides Jeff was Milton McDonald. He had made a career mainly as a session guitarist and tour guitarist for hire, having also worked with Take That, Spice Girls and more. His real name is Mike McDonald, but he adopted the name Milton because he comes from Milton Keynes in the UK. He is married to Melanie Lewis-McDonald, backing vocalist for the band.
Bernie Smith (from Brentwood, Essex) and Marcus Byrne (from Twickenham) were recruited as the main keyboardists due to their his work with Mike Stevens on tours for Take That and Annie Lennox. Marcus also handled Protools duties and was reportedly the one who handled the string arrangements played on keyboard during the shows.
The drummer for all shows, Donavan Hepburn, hails from Jeff Lynne's hometown of Birmingham. He also was recruited due to his work with Take That. At the Birmingham shows, when Donavan was introduced on stage, he received a generous round of applause from the local audience. For unknown reasons, perhaps as a joke, Mike Stevens introduced him at the Radio City Music Hall shows (New York City) as being from Brooklyn, to which he also got a similar cheer from the audience.
Melanie Lewis-McDonald provided female backing vocals for the tour. She got her start with ELO by being hired to lead all the vocalists for the Children In Need Rocks 2013 concert, working with all the bands present including the closing Jeff Lynne performances. From here, she was featured as a featured backing vocalist for all subsequent Jeff Lynne's ELO performances and into the 2016 tour and later. She is the wife of guitarist, Milton McDonald.
Arranging all the vocals and supplying backing vocals himself was Iain Hornal. He too was brought in for the band through Mike Stevens and has worked with Take That. He has further worked with Yes (with Lee Pomeroy) and 10CC. In early 2017, shortly after the end of the 2016 tour, he released a solo album called The Game Begins With The Lights Out which can be heard and purchased HERE.
Rosie and Amy Langley are sisters, coming from a large British family with a lot of musical talent. For Jeff Lynne's ELO, Rosie plays violin and has a prominent role at the front of the stage throughout Livin' Thing; Amy Langley play the cello alongside Jess Cox. Rosie also sings in a group called The Langley Sisters with her sisters Gita and Edie, singing close harmonies on 1920s to 1940s era songs. Amy, along with sisters Rosie, Edie and Gita play as a string quartet in England. It is not clear how they came to be part of Jeff Lynne's ELO.
Cellist Jess Cox is a music enthusiast, playing and teaching cello and piano, in and around England. It in unknown how she became invvolved with Jeff Lynne's ELO.
Tour Dates
Setlist
The promotional shows in November 2015 was an eighteen song set. Thirtings songs are older hits, Four songs are from Alone In The Universe and one non-hit, but obviously a Jeff Lynne favorite is Out Of The Blue's Steppin' Out. The song Mr. Blue Sky was played as the final song, and the usual Roll Over Beethoven as the encore song. The concert on November 12 at the BBC Radio Theatre was simulcast on BBC Radio 2 as well as the BBC's Red Button and cut several songs, including the Roll Over Beethoven encore, probably to ensure that the concert fit into the prescribed one hour time slot. None of the other promotional concerts were broadcast in any way, but they have been bootlegged from various sources.
For the full tour concerts in June 2016, the setlist was similar but rearranged; it was a twenty song set with various songs added and removed to always maintain that same number of songs. The popular non-single song, Tightrope opened the show with a special prerecorded intro. Rockaria!, Shine A Little Love and Wild West Hero were also added. Dropped altogether was Rock 'n' Roll Is King, but included instead was the minor hit, Secret Messages which Jeff often mentioned as "a rare one" after it was played. From Alone In The Universe, One Step At A Time was dropped altogether and When The Night Comes and Ain't It A Drag were only played at few shows as they were being promoted as the latest single. The inclusion of Love And Rain was only at one show, the September 9th Hollywood Bowl show. Again, the song Mr. Blue Sky was played as the final song, and the usual Roll Over Beethoven as the encore song. The June 26 Glastonbury setlist removed a few songs altogether, shortening the set, probably to fit the Glastonbury festival format.
A concert review in the Liverpool Echo of the first concert of the tour printed a setlist that was actually incorrect. Although similar, it included Do Ya as the second song and listed as a single song Can't Get It Out Of My Head/Strange Magic and When The Night Comes/Love And Rain. This was not the setlist performed that night, but was probably taken from an early setlist that the band had prepared. A printed setlist for the night used by the band is marked as "Version 4", so there were likely earlier versions that included these songs. Do Ya must have been dropped altogether as it was not performed the entire tour. And Can't Get It Out Of My Head and Strange Magic must have been interchangeable, with one or the other to be performed (as actually happened during the tour). The same was probably true for When The Night Comes and Love And Rain although Love And Rain was never used for the European shows and 10538 Overture was switched instead.
Another clue of setlist changes from the opening Liverpool concert was that Telephone Line was performed just before Mr. Blue Sky that night. On all subsequent nights it was moved three songs earlier, to before Turn To Stone. Although Telephone Line ranks as easily in the top five of ELO hits and probably deserves a place near the end of the show, it was probably too much of a slow number for the typically raucous and high energy end of a show. Thus it was moved to allow a large block of high energy songs to end the show.
Promotional Concerts Song Title Porchester Hall
Irving Plaza
Fonda TheatreBBC Radio Theatre Arrangement Song comments All Over The World YES YES, although it was switched in the setlist with Turn To Stone being performed first. This is the same as the Xanadu album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. Evil Woman YES YES This is the same as the Face The Music album arrangement, but without the orchestral intro and a non-fading ending. Showdown YES YES This is the same as the original single arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. Turn To Stone YES YES, although it was switched in the setlist with All Over The World. This is the same as the Out Of The Blue album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. When I Was A Boy YES YES This is the same as the Alone In The Universe album arrangement. Livin' Thing YES YES This is the same as the A New World Record album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. One Step At A Time YES This is the same as the Alone In The Universe album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. Strange Magic YES YES This is the same as the original album/single arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. Don't Bring Me Down YES YES This is the same as the Discovery album arrangement, but with a slightly bigger drum ending. Steppin' Out YES YES This is the same as the Out Of The Blue album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. Sweet Talkin' Woman YES YES, although it was switched in the setlist with When The Night Comes. This is the same as the Out Of The Blue album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. Also, Jeff answers the "Where could she be?" line by singing "I don't know." Can't Get It Out Of My Head YES This is the same as the Eldorado album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. When The Night Comes YES YES, although it was switched in the setlist with Sweet Talkin' Woman. This is the same as the Alone In The Universe album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. Ain't It A Drag YES YES This is the same as the Alone In The Universe album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. Rock 'n' Roll Is King YES This is the same as the standard Rock 'n' Roll Is King single version. Telephone Line YES YES This is the same as the A New World Record album arrangement, but without the muted intro and with a non-fading ending. Mr. Blue Sky YES YES This is the same as the Out Of The Blue album arrangement, complete with the "Concerto For A Rainy Day" coda, and a big drum finish. Roll Over Beethoven YES This is the ELO 2 UK album version, but missing the mellotron intro and Jeff and backing vocalist Iain Hornal take turns on each verse. The guitar jam in the middle is free form, with Jeff simply jamming away and each performance varies.
The Tour in 2016 Song Title April/May
ConcertsJune
Manchester/Birmingham
ConcertsGlastonbury
Festival
ConcertHollywood Bowl/
Radio City Music Hall
ConcertsArrangement Graphics Used Song comments Tightrope YES YES YES The performance started with a taped recording of synthesizers and snippets of ELO songs, including Wild West Hero and The Whale, before the A New World Record album arrangement of the song was played live. The show starts with a star field on a screen in front of the stage. As the song proper starts, the curtain is dropped and the graphics background graphics start. The graphics are of a point-of-view flight through space and various geometric shapes flying towards the user, with occasionally the ELO spaceship also flying out from the center. The projection floor graphics duplicates the back screen animation exactly
Evil Woman YES YES YES YES This is the same as the Face The Music album arrangement, but without the orchestral intro and a non-fading ending. This is a fiery series of various images of a woman's eye, sometimes with flames running through the iris and the ELO logo sometimes popping into view. The projection floor graphics duplicates the back screen animation.
Showdown YES YES YES YES This is the same as the original single arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. No images were used for most of the tour. However for the Glastonbury show, a colorful raindrop effect was used. And for the Hollywood Bowl and Radio City Music Hall shows, the geometric shape and fractal pattern effects normally used for Ain't It A Drag was used. The raindrop effect used as Glastonbury was later used for the single performance of Love And Rain at the first Hollywood Bowl concert. There was also no images used for the projection floor graphics.
All Over The World YES YES YES YES This is the same as the Xanadu album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. These graphics are rotating images of the planet Earth, with heavy lights coming from all the cities, including fireworks and streaks of light linking various cities. Strangely, this means that it's night time "all over the world" since no daylight images of the planet are ever seen. The projection floor graphics duplicates the back screen animation.
Love And Rain YES This is the same as the Alone In The Universe album arrangement. Various rain effects are used the graphics of this song. Colorful raindrops slowly spattering on the screen are shown during the versione during the choruses; rain and lightning flash across the screen on the choruses. Note: As the only performance of this song was at the Hollywood Bowl show and the circular screen was not used there, only a rectangular screen was used there. This effect was also used for Showdown at the Glastonbury Festival concert. Given that this song was only played at the Hollywood Bowl, where the LED floor was not used, there was no floor projection graphics.
This was only played at the September 9, 2016 Hollywood Bowl concert. It features Laura Lynne on backing vocals. When I Was A Boy YES YES YES YES, although the order was reversed with Livin' Thing and the latter was performed first. This is the same as the Alone In The Universe album arrangement. This graphic includes various point of view images of a large field at night, with several trees and an old house. The footage ends with a bright light shining out from the night sky and the ELO spaceship flying in. This symbolically shows Jeff's boyhood dreams with the ELO spaceship being the final realization of those dreams. The projection floor graphics duplicates the back screen animation, with the addition of some slowly rotating white dots near the bottom of the tree images.
Livin' Thing YES YES YES YES, although switched in the order of performance with When I Was A Boy. This is the same as the A New World Record album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. This simple graphic shows mixed images of a colorful fluid moving about as well as blasts of a smoky material. The projection floor images are the same as the back screen images, showing the fluid movements.
Rosie Langley comes to center stage to perform violin throughout the song Ain't It A Drag YES, although dropped from the setlist starting with the May 1 show in Amsterdam. This is the same as the Alone In The Universe album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. This graphic shows a series of rotating yellow and brown circles and morphing, jagged geometric shapes. The projection floor graphics mimic the rear images exactly.
Can't Get It Out Of My Head YES, although dropped from the April 23 London show where it was replaced with Strange Magic. YES, although it was performed after 10538 Overture. This is the same as the Eldorado album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. This is a somewhat static graphic, showing a large moon over gently undulating water. The projection floor graphic showed the water in front of the moon. Note that Strange Magic shared the same graphic.
Strange Magic YES, although added starting with the April 23 London show where it was replacing Can't Get It Out Of My Head. YES This is the same as the original album/single arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. This is a somewhat static graphic, showing a large moon over gently undulating water. The projection floor graphic showed the water in front of the moon. Note that Can't Get It Out Of My Head shared the same graphic.
Rockaria! YES YES YES, although the order was reversed with 10538 Overture and the latter was performed first. YES This is the same as the A New World Record album arrangement, but Jeff and backing vocalist Iain Hornal take turns on each verse and they sing alternate lines on the closing lines (starting with "Well we were reelin' and a rockin' all through the night"). Backing vocalist Melanie Lewis-McDonald supplies the opera singer bits. This is a frenetic graphic of the ELO spaceship, rotating constantly with various geometric designs moving in the middle. Some of the images in the middle are also the label of the promo UK Rockaria! single (with the large "A" indicating it was the A-side). The projection floor graphics are a duplicate of the back screen graphics.
When The Night Comes YES, although dropped from the April 14 Newcastle show where it was replaced with 10538 Overture. YES, although it was played after Secret Messages in the setlist, rather than after Rockaria!. This is the same as the Alone In The Universe album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. This graphic is a slowly undulating field of stars in the nighttime sky, with sometimes clouds floating by and a grove of trees visible at the bottom of the screen.
At the June shows, Jeff introduced When The Night Comes as the new single. 10538 Overture YES, although added starting with the April 16 Birmingham show where it was replacing When The Night Comes. YES YES, although switched in the order of performance with Rockaria!. YES This is the same as the original album/single arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. When this song was first played, the graphic featured flying over the tops of a jagged forest over night; this eventually wraps in on itself to become a tunnel with the forest on all sides and the sceneflies thorugh this endless tunnel while a dusky sky is seen at the end. Starting with the Glastonbury show and for all subsequent shows, the graphics changed to a series of barbed wire and chains flying toward the viewer. The projection floor graphics used the same jagged forest images from the back screen for those shows that used that graphic. When the barbed wire graphics were used, there was no projection floor graphics used.
Secret Messages YES YES YES, although only performed at the Radio City Music Hall concerts and not Hollywood Bowl This is the same as the original Secret Messages album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending and including the album intro Inspired by the song's lyrics, this graphic shows various space nebula scenes while "messages" in the form of moving dashed lines stream out of a very bright nebula on the side of the image; sometimes these messages are streaming across the screen and other times they are streaming directly at the viewer. The projection floor graphics duplicated the back screen graphic.
Steppin' Out YES, although this song was dropped from the setlist starting with the May 1 show in Amsterdam. This is the same as the Out Of The Blue album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. This graphic is of a slowly rotating field of stars and nebula, often interconnected as if making constellations. The projection floor graphics duplicated the back screen graphics.
Shine A Little Love YES YES YES YES This is a shortened version of the single version (no choral intro), cutting everything from the second bridge ("can you understand...") to the end of the fourth verse, and inserting an acapella chorus in its place where the band claps along in an attempt to get the audience involved. Also, after this song, Jeff introduces Richard Tandy and Mike Stevens, then Mike introduces the rest of the band. No graphic for the back screen was used at the European shows; instead, a frenetic green light show was used only. However, the floor graphic featured floating silver glitter. Starting with the Glastonbury show and through to the USA shows, the floating silver glitter effect used for the the floor graphic was used for the back screen in addition to the green lasers (and none of those shows used the floor graphic due to the stage limitations).
Wild West Hero YES YES YES YES This is the same as the Out Of The Blue album arrangement. This graphic depicts a day on an American west landscape. It starts with a static view of an American western desert landscape; in an accelerated day, during daylight, clouds roll by until eventually the sun sets and the stars roll across the sky during night until eventually the sun rises to a new day. This graphic was duplicated for the projection floor graphic.
Telephone Line YES, although for the opening night in Liverpool, it was moved in the setlist and performed between Sweet Talkin' Woman and Mr. Blue Sky. YES YES YES This is the same as the A New World Record album arrangement, but without the muted intro and with a non-fading ending. Evoking the song's theme (and dating itself), the graphic shows a rotating ELO spaceship with the ELO logo in the middle replaced by a series of concentric rotary phone dials; for the first half of the song, the image zooms in so much that only the rotary dials are visible, but the last half of the song, the spaceship is most always visible. The projection floor graphics duplicate the back screen graphics.
Turn To Stone YES YES YES YES This is the same as the Out Of The Blue album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. This graphic shows a large field of asteroids flying at the viewer across various space backgrounds. In a fun moment, at the final crash of stars, all the asteroids explode. There were no projection floor graphics.
Don't Bring Me Down YES YES YES YES, although the order was reversed with Sweet Talkin' Woman and the latter was performed first. This is the same as the Discovery album arrangement, but with a slightly bigger drum ending. This graphic is of a rotating lighted football (soccer ball) with neon lines; this may have been done because Jeff Lynne is a known football fan and the heavy use of neon effects in the Don't Bring Me Down music video. The projection floor graphics duplicate the back screen graphics.
Sweet Talkin' Woman YES YES YES YES, although switched in the order of performance with Don't Bring Me Down. This is the same as the Out Of The Blue album arrangement, but with a non-fading ending. Also, Jeff answers the "Where could she be?" line by singing "I don't know." This simple graphic is of a undulating set of twisting, multi-colored ribbons. The projection floor graphics duplicate the back screen graphics.
Mr. Blue Sky YES YES YES YES This is the same as the Out Of The Blue album arrangement, complete with the "Concerto For A Rainy Day" coda, and a big drum finish. Somewhat predictably, this graphic is a blue sky with rolling white clouds; during the 'Concerto For A Rainy Day' coda, the graphics are shut off completely and stage lights are used only; after the song finishes, an ELO spaceship flies to the center of the screen while the band gets together for a stage bow. The projection floor graphics duplicate the back screen graphics.
Roll Over Beethoven YES YES YES YES This is the ELO 2 UK album version, but missing the mellotron intro and Jeff and backing vocalist Iain Hornal take turns on each verse. The guitar jam in the middle is free form, with Jeff simply jamming away and each performance varies. This graphic is very frenetic. It shows the ELO spaceship with a multicolored, rotating outer ring and the center using a rotating UK Harvest Roll Over Beethoven single or rotating and pulsating multicolored graphics; after the song finishes, an ELO spaceship flies to the center of the screen while the band gets together for a stage bow. The projection floor graphics duplicates the back screen animation exactly except only the center part of the ELO spaceship (the record label or pulsating graphics) is shown. The projection floor graphics duplicate the back screen graphics.
Releases
No performance from this tour has seen official release, other than the audio of Showdown from the June 26th Glastonbury Festival concert, released on the Oxfam Presents: Stand As One - Live At Glastonbury 2016 album (PLG UK Frontline 0190295931476) on August 19, 2016.
Nearly all shows have been bootlegged. With the modern age and presence of mobile phones and other recording devices, it's now very common for shows to be recorded. There are audio recordings of basically all shows. And there are hundreds of video recordings of various performances from the tour on YouTube.
Several performances were professionally engineered and broadcast. Certainly all the TV broadcasts have this, although none are complete concerts (with one exception). The full show from November 12, 2015 was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 as an audio performance only under the title BBC Radio 2 In Concert. The June 26, 2016 from Glastonbury, was also broadcast live on BBC Radio and TV.
Below are the bootleg recordings available. If readers have show recordings of better audio quality or more complete video as noted below, please contact me at the email address at the bottom of this page.
| Date | Location | Source | Quality | Boot Artwork | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 9, 2015 | London, UK | Audience | Fair |
 Bootleg cover for November 9, 2015 show |
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| November 12, 2015 | London, UK | Sound Board | Excellent |
 Bootleg cover for November 12, 2015 show  Bootleg cover for November 12, 2015 show  Bootleg cover for November 12, 2015 show |
This concert was broadcast live on BBC Radio 2 in audio only while the video was available (presumably not live) via the BBC Red Button. | |
| November 20, 2015 | New York City, USA | Audience | Fair |
 Bootleg cover for November 20, 2015 show |
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| November 24, 2015 | Los Angeles, USA | Audience | Fair |
 Bootleg cover for November 24, 2015 show |
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| April 5, 2016 | Liverpool, UK | Audience | Fair |
 Bootleg cover for April 5, 2016 show |
This is missing the songs Ain't It A Drag and When The Night Comes; and it is incomplete for Secret Messages, Steppin' Out and Wild West Hero. | |
| April 7, 2016 | Nottingham, UK | Audience | Very Good |
 Bootleg cover for April 7, 2016 show |
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| April 9, 2016 | Leeds, UK | Audience | Very Good |
 Bootleg cover for April 9, 2016 show |
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| April 10, 2016 | Manchester, UK | Audience | Very Good |
 Bootleg cover for April 10, 2016 show |
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| April 12, 2016 | Glasgow, Scotland | Audience | Very Good |
 Bootleg cover for April 12, 2016 show |
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| April 14, 2016 | Newcastle upon Tyne, UK | Audience | Fair |
 Bootleg cover for April 14, 2016 show |
This is incomplete, completely missing the songs Showdown, Can't Get It Out Of My Head and Steppin' Out as well as only partially complete for Ain't It A Drag and Wild West Hero. | |
| April 16, 2016 | Birmingham, UK | Audience | Very Good |
 Bootleg cover for April 16, 2016 show |
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| April 17, 2016 | Birmingham, UK | Audience | Very Good |
 Bootleg cover for April 17, 2016 show |
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| April 20, 2016 | London, UK | Audience | Good |
 Bootleg cover for April 20, 2016 show |
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| April 22, 2016 | London, UK | Audience | Good |
 Bootleg cover for April 22, 2016 show |
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| April 23, 2016 | London, UK | Audience | Fair |
 Bootleg cover for April 23, 2016 show |
This is missing some songs Ain't It A Drag and Shine A Little Love. | |
| April 26, 2016 | London, UK | Audience | Good |
 Bootleg cover for April 26, 2016 show |
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| May 1, 2016 | Amsterdam, Holland | Audience | Fair |
 Bootleg cover for May 1, 2016 show |
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| May 3, 2016 | Zürich, Switzerland | Audience | Very Good |
 Bootleg cover for May 3, 2016 show |
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| May 5, 2016 | Oberhausen, Germany | Audience | Good |
 Bootleg cover for May 5, 2016 show |
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| May 7, 2016 | Dublin, Ireland | Audience | Good |
 Bootleg cover for May 7, 2016 show |
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| June 22, 2016 | Manchester, UK | Audience | Good |
 Bootleg cover for June 22, 2016 show |
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| June 24, 2016 | Birmingham, UK | Audience | Fair |
 Bootleg cover for June 24, 2016 show |
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| June 26, 2016 | Somerset, UK | Sound Board | Excellent |
 Bootleg cover for June 26, 2016 show  Bootleg cover for June 26, 2016 show  Bootleg cover for June 26, 2016 show  Bootleg cover for June 26, 2016 show  Bootleg cover for June 26, 2016 show  Bootleg cover for June 26, 2016 show |
This was broadcast on TV and radio as part of the Glastonbury Festival. The full bootleg includes not only the concert, but also promos and two different interviews with Jo Whiley. There also exists audio bootlegs of an audio separation mix, that separates the various vocals and instruments, meant for TV broadcast mixing. This yields some fascinating insight into the performances where some interesting items can be heard. |
|
| September 9, 2016 | Los Angeles, USA | Audience | Very Good |
 Bootleg cover for September 9, 2016 show  Bootleg cover for September 9, 2016 show |
There are complete audio and video audience recorded bootlegs of this concert. There is a complete audio recording of the opening act, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. |
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| September 10, 2016 | Los Angeles, USA | Audience | Very Good |
 Bootleg cover for September 10, 2016 show |
There are complete audio and video audience recorded bootlegs of this concert. |
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| September 11, 2016 | Los Angeles, USA | Audience | Very Good |
 Bootleg cover for September 11, 2016 show |
There are complete audio and video audience recorded bootlegs of this concert. |
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| September 16, 2016 | New York City, USA | Audience | Very Good |
 Bootleg cover for September 16, 2016 show |
There is a complete audio recording of the opening act, Attacca Quartet. | |
| September 18, 2016 | New York City, USA | Audience | Very Good |
 Bootleg cover for September 18, 2016 show  Bootleg cover for September 18, 2016 show |
Opening Acts
For all the European shows in April to June 2016, the shows were opened by The Feeling, a band from West Sussex that is openly influenced by ELO music. The exception was the May 7th show in Dublin, which was opened by The Shoos because it was a rescheduled show and The Feeling were unable to open for this particular show. The Glastonbury show, of course, did not need an opening band as the performance was part of a festival.
For the USA shows, the opening band was of a much more classical flare. The Hollywood Bowl concerts were opened by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra conducted by Thomas Wilkins, playing a selection of classical songs. And the Radio City Music Hall concerts were opened by the Attacca Quartet, also playing a selection of classical songs.
Promotions
A 30 second ad for the Alone In The Universe UK tour was also produced and broadcast on various TV stations around the UK as well as online. The add features footage from the Septemer 2014 Hyde Park performance, including clips of Mr. Blue Sky, Livin' Thing, Turn To Stone and Don't Bring Me Down. It includes several animations of the ELO spaceship moving about, often used as a swipe to change songs. Thoughout, the dates of the tour are flashed across the bottom of the screen and an announcer announces the tour. It's ends with a graphic of where to get tickets before the spaceship flies away into the "O" of ELO. The ad was produced by Live Nation and was first broadcast on November 13, 2015. This ad can be seen HERE.
Just under a month after Jeff Lynne's ELO's appearance at the Glastonbury Festival, BBC2 posted a new promotion video to promote the appearance. This video, running just over 8 minutes total, starts with the Glastonbury logo, then features clips of each song performed that day in order of performance, and ends with the Glastonbury logo and a link to watch on the BBC website. The copyright shown in 2016, but the video was released in 2017. In addition, they included videos for the quick history of ELO to promote the appearance as well ad the short interview with Jeff by Jo Whiley immediately after the Glastonbury concert. All videos can be seen HERE.
Photos
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Fan Comments
Enter comments only about this tour. (Inappropriate comments will be removed.)
went to Newcastle having been to Hyde Park, the show was superb there was a slight scuffle when someone was using a rather large video camera with a light that lit up most of the arena irritating some around her - it was great being at an all ELO event as although I was lucky enough to have been present at Heartbeat and the Wembley shows of 86 these were multi band affairs now looking forward to Wembley 2017
I attended the Henry Fonda Theatre show, the Jimmie Kimmel taping, as well as the first Hollywood Bowl show. It was a huge privilege to at last see my favorite musician and songwriter performing live (plus Richard!) having been a fan since the age of 6 (1981!). Also nice to witness the only live performance of Love and Rain, as apparently the song was only performed on the first night at the Bowl, and neither it nor Laura Lynne appeared the following nights (if I'm not mistaken). Outstanding performances and arrangements, cool visuals, and I think the drummer is the best he's ever worked with: rock solid, especially on Turn To Stone.
Hi - 10538 Overture was performed in Newcastle, replacing When the Night Comes.
I very much enjoyed the gig of ELO last night in Zurich. Over the years I occasionally checked if there would be the chance to hear the sound of ELO once again, but it seemed that Jeff Lynne was not willing to go on tour again. So I forgot to watch again. Yesterday morning I heard by chance on the radio that there will be a concert in the evening. Fortunately I still got a ticket. I'm a fan since I heard them first time in a small hall in Aarau, Switzerland in August 1974. The sound of the band is still perfect and you would not believe that some of the songs are over 40 years old. Simply timeless! I hope this will not be the last tour of ELO!
Lucien / Zurich Switzerland
The April 16th gig at Birmingham's Genting Arena (formerly the NEC) was actually my first time ever seeing Jeff Lynne play live. I've been a fan since a child (back in 1979), but for a variety of reasons, the rare moments that he played live somewhere I was unable to go. So this tour was simply not to be missed at any cost.The concert was a cathartic experience. From the opening of Tightrope, I was on my feet clapping and singing along until my hand and throat were sore. During When I Was a Boy, the lyrics were particularly poignant. "When I was a boy I had a dream, all about the things I'd like to be, soon as I was in my bed, music played inside my head, when I was a boy, I had a dream." Although this is a personal song for Jeff, it also spoke to me and my lifelong desire to see Jeff play live-- it was personal and across the arena, it connected me to Jeff, who has always been my personal hero. The tears of joy just flowed during this song and I didn't care who noticed.
I remember Rockaria! being a particularly strong rocker too! During the band introduction, drummer Donavan Hepburn got a really strong reaction from the crowd and seemed touched by it, standing and saluting the crowd.
I went on to see the concert on the following night as well as the first two concerts in London. Nothing will ever compare to that first concert when all that pent up emotion of wanting to see Jeff play live came out in one glorious night.
Thank you Jeff. You quite literally made the dream of my life come true.
-Robert
Yes, I think that despite reports of these songs being performed, they are not actually part of the setlist.
"Do Ya" and "Love and Rain" were not performed in Manchester
Tour Song Comments
When I Was A Boy (TFI Friday - November 6, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:20
- Record Date: November 6, 2015 (performed), November 20, 2015 (initial broadcast)
- Record Location: Cochrane Theatre, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Livin' Thing (TFI Friday - November 6, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:10
- Record Date: November 6, 2015 (performed), November 21, 2015 (initial broadcast)
- Record Location: Cochrane Theatre, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
All Over The World (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: Unknown
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Record Location: Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Evil Woman (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:18
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Showdown (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: Unknown
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Turn To Stone (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:51
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When I Was A Boy (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:09
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Livin' Thing (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:04
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
One Step At A Time (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:38
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Strange Magic (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:01
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Don't Bring Me Down (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:09
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Steppin' Out (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: Unknown
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Sweet Talkin' Woman (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:34
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: Unknown
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When The Night Comes (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:15
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Ain't It A Drag (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: Unknown
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Rock 'n' Roll Is King (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: Unknown
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Telephone Line (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:49
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Mr. Blue Sky (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:51
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Roll Over Beethoven (Porchester Hall - November 9, 2015)
- Running Time: 5:34
- Record Date: November 9, 2015
- Porchester Hall, London, UK
- Written By: Chuck Berry
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Ellie Stanford (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When I Was A Boy (The One Show - November 11, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:20
- Record Date: November 11, 2015
- Record Location: Broadcasting House, London, UK
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Gita Langley (violin), Amy Langley (cello), Tasia Hodges (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Turn To Stone (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:10
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Evil Woman (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:52
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Showdown (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:23
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
All Over The World (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:40
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When I Was A Boy (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:24
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Livin' Thing (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:27
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Strange Magic (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:23
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Don't Bring Me Down (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:26
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Steppin' Out (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:23
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When The Night Comes (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:35
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Sweet Talkin' Woman (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:06
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Ain't It A Drag (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:01
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Telephone Line (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 5:25
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Mr. Blue Sky (BBC Radio Theatre - November 12, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:58
- Record Date: November 12, 2015
- Record Location: BBC Radio Theatre
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards, Pro-Tools), Donavan Hepburn (drums), , Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), The BBC Orchestra led by Charles Mutter (8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When I Was A Boy (Royal Variety Performance - November 13, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:17
- Record Date: November 13, 2015 (recorded); December 8, 2015 (broadcast)
- Record Location: Royal Albert Hall, London, England
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Gita Langley (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Mr. Blue Sky (Royal Variety Performance - November 13, 2015)
"The only standing ovation [at the 2015 Royal Variety Performance] is reserved — and rightly so — for Jeff Lynne's ELO and their joyful, idiosyncratic anthem, Mr Blue Sky."
Paul Vale (November 14, 2015 - The Stage)
- Running Time: 5:08
- Record Date: November 13, 2015 (recorded); December 8, 2015 (broadcast)
- Record Location: Royal Albert Hall, London, England
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (piano, keyboards, vocoder), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, keyboards, guitar), Amy Langley (cello), Rachael Lander (cello), Gita Langley (violin)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When I Was A Boy (CBS This Morning - November 17, 2015)
"Jeff Lynne is one of the most influential rock musicians and producers ever, and is now leading a 21st-century version of a hit-making powerhouse. Formerly 'Electric Light Orchestra,' the band is now called 'Jeff Lynne's ELO,' and in this Saturday Session, they play When I Was A Boy from their album Alone In The Universe."
Unknown (November 21 2015 - CBS News website)
- Running Time: 3:09
- Record Date: November 17, 2015 (performed); November 21, 2015 (broadcast)
- Record Location: Studio 57 in the CBS Broadcast Center, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), [NOTE: the string players were not present for this performance.]
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Turn To Stone (CBS This Morning - November 17, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:06
- Record Date: November 17, 2015 (performed); November 21, 2015 (broadcast)
- Record Location: Studio 57 in the CBS Broadcast Center, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), [NOTE: the string players were not present for this performance.]
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Showdown (CBS This Morning - November 17, 2015)
- Running Time: Unknown
- Record Date: November 17, 2015 (performed); November 21, 2015 (broadcast)
- Record Location: Studio 57 in the CBS Broadcast Center, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), [NOTE: the string players were not present for this performance.]
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Mr. Blue Sky (CBS This Morning - November 17, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:57
- Record Date: November 17, 2015 (performed); November 21, 2015 (broadcast)
- Record Location: Studio 57 in the CBS Broadcast Center, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), [NOTE: the string players were not present for this performance.]
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When I Was A Boy (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon - November 18, 2015)
"Lynne's ELO also performed [on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon] When I Was a Boy, a sweet, nostalgic power ballad with Beatles-esque melodies that appears on the band's new album, Alone In the Universe."
Jon Blistein (November 19 2015 - Rolling Stone)
"Jeff Lynne's ELO performed a pair of tracks for The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday... The group played When I Was A Boy from their newly released album Alone In The Universe on the broadcast."
Bruce Henne (November 19 2015 - hennemusic.com)
- Running Time: 3:55
- Record Date: November 18, 2015 (performed); December 14, 2015 (broadcast)
- Record Location: NBC Studio 6-B in the Comcast Building, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Mr. Blue Sky (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon - November 18, 2015)
"Jeff Lynne's ELO stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Wednesday to perform a pair of tracks, including a web-exclusive rendition of Electric Light Orchestra's 1977 hit, Mr. Blue Sky. Lynne and company delivered a faithful, spirited rendition of the jaunty Mr. Blue Sky, with the frontman showing off his guitar chops and still striking a delicate falsetto. Lynne's sizable band — which included a small string section — provided phenomenal support, with his back-up singers and instrumentalists conjuring an array of harmonies and his keyboardist delivering the track's delightful talk box hook."
Jon Blistein (November 19 2015 - Rolling Stone)
"Jeff Lynne's ELO performed a pair of tracks for The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday, including the band's 1977 hit Mr. Blue Sky and video of the his performance has gone online. The group played When I Was A Boy from their newly released album Alone In The Universe on the broadcast and the classic tune [Mr. Blue Sky] as a web exclusive."
Bruce Henne (November 19 2015 - hennemusic.com)
- Running Time: 5:16
- Record Date: November 18, 2015 (performed); December 14, 2015 (broadcast)
- Record Location: NBC Studio 6-B in the Comcast Building, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
All Over The World (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"And they didn t waste any time, diving right into the controversial Xanadu period with All Over the World."
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
"When the band, er, orchestra, finished their opener, All Over The World, they were greeted with sustained applause. For most of the crowd, it was likely their first time seeing ELO, as they haven t performed live in the U.S. in nearly 30 years."
Greg Brodsky (November 21, 2015 - Best Classic Bands review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 4:34
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Evil Woman (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"[The band performed] 18 songs in 90 high-energy minutes, [including] early rockers (Evil Woman, Showdown)..."
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 4:30
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Showdown (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"[The band performed] 18 songs in 90 high-energy minutes, [including] early rockers (Evil Woman, Showdown)..."
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
"Lynne rarely spoke; after the evening s third song — Showdown — he said, 'It's so great to be playing in America again.'"
Greg Brodsky (November 21, 2015 - Best Classic Bands review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 4:42
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Turn To Stone (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"Electric Light Orchestra songs tend to be so eerie and isolated — it's strange to stand in a room full of your fellow fans singing along to songs as profoundly lonesome as Telephone Line or Turn to Stone."
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 4:22
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When I Was A Boy (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"One of the highlights came when Lynne sang the new When I Was a Boy, his Imagine-style piano ballad about being a dorky kid in his room, catching a few precious moments of pop music on his radio. (As he recently told Rolling Stone s Andy Greene, 'I used to go under my bed listening to the crystal set.') Yet Lynne has always sung in the voice of that boy."
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
"Lynne and company performed four songs from Alone In The Universe, including the semi-autobiographical first single, When I Was A Boy, and the Wilbury-like Ain t It A Drag. "
Greg Brodsky (November 21, 2015 - Best Classic Bands review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 3:26
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Livin' Thing (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"Livin Thing is a musical Inside Out, all the voices in one lonely man s head arguing about whether it's safe to fall in love or not ('I m takin a dive!' 'I m takin ! I m takin ! ' Don't you do it, don't you do it!') until the string section finally pushes him into taking that dive. An inspirational sound — especially with so many other human voices chiming in."
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 4:33
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
One Step At A Time (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:39
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Strange Magic (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:21
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Don't Bring Me Down (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"And he vamped up Don't Bring Me Down, his goof on the Stones Exile version of Stop Breakin Down, which makes it the closest thing we ll ever see to a Number One hit for Robert Johnson."
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
"Purely from a crowd reaction, the evening s highlights were Don't Bring Me Down, Telephone Line and Mr. Blue Sky."
Greg Brodsky (November 21, 2015 - Best Classic Bands review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 4:36
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Steppin' Out (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"[The band performed] 18 songs in 90 high-energy minutes, [including] creep-show weepers (Can't Get It Out of My Head, Steppin Out)"
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 3:58
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Sweet Talkin' Woman (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"Sweet Talkin Woman gave it up to the ladies in the string section — Lynne did some mock-conducting during the intro."
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
"Lynne was joined onstage by longtime ELO bandmate Richard Tandy, whose distinctive keyboards are so crucial to their sound. His occasional talk box vocals on Sweet Talkin Woman and Mr. Blue Sky drew cheers."
Greg Brodsky (November 21, 2015 - Best Classic Bands review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 4:05
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"[The band performed] 18 songs in 90 high-energy minutes, [including] creep-show weepers (Can't Get It Out of My Head, Steppin Out)"
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 5:16
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When The Night Comes (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:33
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals)T , Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Ain't It A Drag (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"Lynne and company performed four songs from Alone In The Universe, including the semi-autobiographical first single, When I Was A Boy, and the Wilbury-like Ain t It A Drag. "
Greg Brodsky (November 21, 2015 - Best Classic Bands review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 2:53
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Rock 'n' Roll Is King (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"[The band performed] 18 songs in 90 high-energy minutes, [including] his all-too-brief new-wave rockabilly phase (Rock & Roll Is King). [...] Rock & Roll Is King is the only song he sang all night where he gets the girl — and even there, she s too busy dancing to pay any attention to Jeff."
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
"The band also knocked the lesser known Rock N Roll Is King and their early cover (and the evening s closer) of Roll Over Beethoven out of the park."
Greg Brodsky (November 21, 2015 - Best Classic Bands review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 3:44
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Telephone Line (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"Electric Light Orchestra songs tend to be so eerie and isolated — it's strange to stand in a room full of your fellow fans singing along to songs as profoundly lonesome as Telephone Line or Turn to Stone."
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
"Purely from a crowd reaction, the evening s highlights were Don't Bring Me Down, Telephone Line and Mr. Blue Sky."
Greg Brodsky (November 21, 2015 - Best Classic Bands review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 5:24
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Mr. Blue Sky (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"Tandy handled the all-important vocoder passage during Mr. Blue Sky, inspiring one of the night s warmest ovations."
Rob Sheffield (November 21, 2015 - Rolling Stone review of November 20, 2015 show)
"Lynne was joined onstage by longtime ELO bandmate Richard Tandy, whose distinctive keyboards are so crucial to their sound. His occasional talk box vocals on Sweet Talkin Woman and Mr. Blue Sky drew cheers. [...] Purely from a crowd reaction, the evening s highlights were Don't Bring Me Down, Telephone Line and Mr. Blue Sky."
Greg Brodsky (November 21, 2015 - Best Classic Bands review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 5:57
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Roll Over Beethoven (Irving Plaza - November 20, 2015)
"The band also knocked the lesser known Rock N Roll Is King and their early cover (and the evening s closer) of Roll Over Beethoven out of the park."
Greg Brodsky (November 21, 2015 - Best Classic Bands review of November 20, 2015 show)
- Running Time: 7:05
- Record Date: November 20, 2015
- Record Location: Irving Plaza, New York City, New York
- Written By: Chuck Berry
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When I Was A Boy (Jimmy Kimmel Live - November 22, 2015)
"Starting with the single When I Was A Boy off of the new album, ELO played what should have been a 4-song set but was turned into a 6-song set, much to the amusement and delight of the audience."
Andrew Bansal (November 25, 2015 - metalassault.com)
- Running Time: 3:31
- Record Date: November 22, 2015 (performed); December 14, 2015 (broadcast)
- Record Location: parking lot of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Evil Woman (Take #1 Jimmy Kimmel Live - November 22, 2015)
"Aside from the new single, the band played three of their most loved hits including Evil Woman which was the second song filmed for broadcast, but after playing that song and then All Over The World, they got word that the Evil Woman take wasn t quite up to scratch. So they played it again, and the crowd loved it. And then they played it once again, as the crowd went nuts. We in Los Angeles take our concert privileges for granted, but who else can boast of seeing Jeff Lynne s ELO play Evil Woman thrice, for free?"
Andrew Bansal (November 25, 2015 - metalassault.com)
- Running Time: Unknown!@# add running time now that it's been booted
- Record Date: November 22, 2015 (performed); not broadcast
- Record Location: parking lot of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased
All Over The World (Jimmy Kimmel Live - November 22, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:56
- Record Date: November 22, 2015 (performed); not broadcast
- Record Location: parking lot of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Evil Woman (Take #2 Jimmy Kimmel Live - November 22, 2015)
"Aside from the new single, the band played three of their most loved hits including Evil Woman which was the second song filmed for broadcast, but after playing that song and then All Over The World, they got word that the Evil Woman take wasn t quite up to scratch. So they played it again, and the crowd loved it. And then they played it once again, as the crowd went nuts. We in Los Angeles take our concert privileges for granted, but who else can boast of seeing Jeff Lynne s ELO play Evil Woman thrice, for free?"
Andrew Bansal (November 25, 2015 - metalassault.com)
- Running Time: 3:38
- Record Date: November 22, 2015 (performed); not broadcast
- Record Location: parking lot of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Evil Woman (Take #3 Jimmy Kimmel Live - November 22, 2015)
"Aside from the new single, the band played three of their most loved hits including Evil Woman which was the second song filmed for broadcast, but after playing that song and then All Over The World, they got word that the Evil Woman take wasn t quite up to scratch. So they played it again, and the crowd loved it. And then they played it once again, as the crowd went nuts. We in Los Angeles take our concert privileges for granted, but who else can boast of seeing Jeff Lynne s ELO play Evil Woman thrice, for free?"
Andrew Bansal (November 25, 2015 - metalassault.com)
!@#> Not sure if this has been discussed or not, as I've been trying to >keep up with all the chatter, but I was just watching the video of >Jeff's ELO performing "Evil Woman" on December 16 on the Kimmel >show. Can anyone tell me what Jeff is laughing at after he sings >"But now you're trying to wail a different song"? It's like the >audience is shouting/singing something and it's tickling him enough >to make him laugh.!@# mention this was an online exclusive only
- Running Time: 4:21
- Record Date: November 22, 2015 (performed); December 14, 2015 (broadcast)
- Record Location: parking lot of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Mr. Blue Sky (Jimmy Kimmel Live - November 22, 2015)
"They ended with Mr. Blue Sky and said goodbye to an overjoyed audience."
Andrew Bansal (November 25, 2015 - metalassault.com)
- Running Time: 5:05
- Record Date: November 22, 2015 (performed); not broadcast
- Record Location: parking lot of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
All Over The World (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
"The group, now officially known as Jeff Lynne s ELO for no necessary reason, opened with All Over The World, its lush harmonies bringing smiles to fans faces as the band, which included a string section of two cellists and a violinist, glided through the tune."
Peter Larsen (November 25, 2015 - The Orange County Register)
- Running Time: 4:35
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Evil Woman (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
"'This is another old one — it's called Evil Woman,' Lynne said at the close of the first number, the opening piano chords making the song instantly known even without that introduction."
Peter Larsen (November 25, 2015 - The Orange County Register)
- Running Time: 4:30
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Showdown (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
"Lynne s voice, even at 68, is remarkably intact, showing no sign of strain on the many falsetto bits that punctuate songs such as Showdown or Turn To Stone. A benefit of so much time behind the production desk in various studios and so little on stage in years past, perhaps."
Peter Larsen (November 25, 2015 - The Orange County Register)
- Running Time: 4:30
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Turn To Stone (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
"Lynne s voice, even at 68, is remarkably intact, showing no sign of strain on the many falsetto bits that punctuate songs such as Showdown or Turn To Stone. A benefit of so much time behind the production desk in various studios and so little on stage in years past, perhaps."
Peter Larsen (November 25, 2015 - The Orange County Register)
- Running Time: 4:21
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When I Was A Boy (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
"Lynne scattered four tracks from Alone In The Universe into the set and if you hadn t known they were new tunes you wouldn t have noticed, so seamlessly did they fit the ELO sound. Of them When I Was A Boy, a lovely nostalgic slow one, and Ain t It A Drag, an uptempo sing-along number, were standouts."
Peter Larsen (November 25, 2015 - The Orange County Register)
- Running Time: 3:32
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Livin' Thing (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
"Other highlights of the set included Livin Thing, with its violin solo at the start..."
Peter Larsen (November 25, 2015 - The Orange County Register)
- Running Time: 4:22
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
One Step At A Time (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:32
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Strange Magic (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:33
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Don't Bring Me Down (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
"While only keyboard player Richard Tandy remains in the band from its glory days, he s the most crucial after Lynne, his piano solos in songs such as Don't Bring Me Down and vocal effects on others such as Mr. Blue Sky important parts of those pieces. [...] "Other highlights of the set included... the heavy beats of Don't Bring Me Down, during which the crowd instinctively knew exactly when to clap out a rhythmic break..."
Peter Larsen (November 25, 2015 - The Orange County Register)
- Running Time: 4:34
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Steppin' Out (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:44
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Sweet Talkin' Woman (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:03
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
- Running Time: 4:56
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
When The Night Comes (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:28
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Ain't It A Drag (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
"Lynne scattered four tracks from Alone In The Universe into the set and if you hadn t known they were new tunes you wouldn t have noticed, so seamlessly did they fit the ELO sound. Of them When I Was A Boy, a lovely nostalgic slow one, and Ain t It A Drag, an uptempo sing-along number, were standouts."
Peter Larsen (November 25, 2015 - The Orange County Register)
- Running Time: 3:04
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Rock 'n' Roll Is King (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
- Running Time: 3:25
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Telephone Line (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
"Other highlights of the set included... most of all the final pairing of Telephone Line, its opening segment as lovely as ever, and Mr. Blue Sky, with those wonderful melodies, counterpoints and key changes thrilling to see and hear in person."
Peter Larsen (November 25, 2015 - The Orange County Register)
- Running Time: 5:10
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Mr. Blue Sky (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
"While only keyboard player Richard Tandy remains in the band from its glory days, he s the most crucial after Lynne, his piano solos in songs such as Don't Bring Me Down and vocal effects on others such as Mr. Blue Sky important parts of those pieces. [...] Other highlights of the set included... most of all the final pairing of Telephone Line, its opening segment as lovely as ever, and Mr. Blue Sky, with those wonderful melodies, counterpoints and key changes thrilling to see and hear in person."
Peter Larsen (November 25, 2015 - The Orange County Register)
- Running Time: 5:26
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Roll Over Beethoven (Fonda Theatre - November 24, 2015)
"A quick break, an encore of ELO s cover version of Roll Over Beethoven, and that was it for Lynne and Electric Light Orchestra for now, though with the reception the new album and these instantly sold-out shows received you have to expect there ll be a full-fledged tour in the new year. It's certainly time."
Peter Larsen (November 25, 2015 - The Orange County Register)
- Running Time: 5:45
- Record Date: November 24, 2015
- Record Location: Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles, California
- Written By: Chuck Berry
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Leah Zeger (violin), Leah Metzler (cello), Ameena Maria Khawaja (cello)
- Released On:
- Unreleased (bootlegged)
Tightrope (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"This time there was no spaceship, but from the three-dimensional son-et-lumiere spectacular for the show s largely-instrumental opener Tightrope, Jeff Lynne and his band left no doubt that this was to be a visual treat, as well as an aural one."
Simon Jenkins (April 11, 2016 - Yorkshire Evening Post review of April 9, 2016 concert)
"Starting with the long, ethereal intro to Tightrope the curly-haired musical genius held the packed out arena in the palm of his hand. "
Martin Hutchinson (April 14, 2016 - Lancashire Telegraph review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"With joyous, note perfection rendition of songs like Tightrope, All Over The World, Strange Magic and the Roy Orbisonesque Can't Get It Out Of My Head..."
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
Editor's Note: Strange Magic was not performed at the April 10 concert.
"The band launched into Tightrope, with cascading violins and cellos tumbling into a cheery rolling-piano motif. The piano juxtaposed with the back-projections made the room feel momentarily like a giant pub perched at the end of time."
Russ Coffey (April 21, 2016 - theartdesk.com review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"The show confidently opened with the lesser known Tightrope, with its moody orchestral and choral intro segueing into pure rock and roll."
Clair Woodward (April 24, 2016 - Daily Express review of unidentified London O2 concert)
"Sure, the introduction of Tightrope is bombastic but the secret is conviction. You ve got to over-act to be convincing on screen, it's the same with music composition."
Jon Falcone (April 29, 2016 - Drowned In Sound review of Unidentified concert)
"Spaceship commander Lynne beams down in a bright white spotlight to open with the foreboding strings of Tightrope, surrounded by a twelve-piece band including two cellists, an opera singer and a man eyeing up the vocoder in hot anticipation."
Jess Worsdale (May 8, 2016 - GoldenPlec review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"'It's lovely to be playing back in your hometown,' he offers after the opening son et lumi re blancmange of Tightrope. 'We're gonna give you a good show-- honest.'"
Keith Cameron (May 24, 2016 - MOJO review of April Birmingham show)
"Here we find ourselves again at L.A. institution The Hollywood Bowl. Much like one month back when we saw Rodrigo y Gabriela here, tonight s headliner would be joined by the famous Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and conductor Thomas Wilkins following a brief set of purely orchestral numbers. Accompanied by his twelve-member band, Jeff Lynne took center stage sporting his trademark-polarized glasses. The band opened on the supremely epic Tightrope (from 1976 album A New World Record) featuring frantic string section accompaniment. It's evident right at the onset that the classical-inspired works of ELO are primed to take full advantage of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra s lush instrumentation."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"Things opened a bit tentatively, though, with Tightrope kicking off the night and Lynne s voice seeming a bit buried in the mix."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
"From the opening Tightrope Lynne, his band and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Wilkins, delivered 90 minutes of pure unadulterated bliss."
Steve Baltin (September 11, 2016 - Forbes review of September 10, 2016 show)
"Then, after a short break, Wilkins and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra was joined by Lynne s ELO, coming together to open the set with a monumental take on Tightrope."
Jim Harrinton (September 12, 2016 - Mercury News review of September 10, 2016 show)
"ELO took the stage with Tightrope, the anthemic opening cut from the 1976 album A New World Record, suggesting to the adoring audience that they weren't just going to be trotting out the hits."
Kurt Gottschalk (September 18, 2016 - The Gothamist review of September 16, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 6:07
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Evil Woman (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"With the second number, Evil Woman, the crowd started to clap along with the quite intricate beat without any coercing. But apart from the choruses there was no singing along as, despite Jeff Lynne s wonderfully homely and achievable in range vocal, these are not easy songs to sing."
Gary Lambert (April 6, 2016 - GetIntoThis.co.uk review of April 5, 2016 show)
"Next up was Evil Woman with its West Coast soul-disco guitar riffs. Half way through the man in front of me turned to his wife, wide-eyed, and pronounced 'My word, they really are dead good.'"
Russ Coffey (April 21, 2016 - theartdesk.com review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"Evil Woman (accompanied by a film of an evil woman) was an early crowd-pleaser."
Will Hodgkinson (April 21, 2016 - The Times review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"So as Evil Woman kicks off the concert properly, the stadium duly goes bat shit. Man this is smooth. Super-slick."
Jon Falcone (April 29, 2016 - Drowned In Sound review of Unidentified concert)
"The almost honky-tonk rumble of the piano intro to Evil Woman ricochets through the room with its spiralling strings and sizzling synths sending the crowd into a frenzy..."
Jennifer Gannon (May 10, 2016 - State magazine review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"During Evil Woman a human eye dissolves into nebulae..."
Keith Cameron (May 24, 2016 - MOJO review of April Birmingham show)
"Evil Woman gets the party started and the more soulful Showdown is an unexpected early highlight."
Chris Slater (June 23, 2016 - Manchester Evening News review of June 22, 2016 concert)
"Seminal career hit Evil Woman (off 1975 breakthrough Face the Music) is performed immediately after, showing Lynne s expert use of artful guitar chord variations and his soothing upper register."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"Evil Woman, which followed [Tightrope], picked things up a bit — you could hear his vocals better for one thing, and the crowd started to get up and dance a bit more..."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
"ELO's exquisitely produced, aerodynamic hits, including Evil Woman, All Over the World and Don't Bring Me Down, ignited FM radio throughout the 1970s and early '80s, soaring through arenas and into a generation's collective memory."
Randall Roberts (September 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times review of September 9, 2016 show)
"ELO, which still features keyboardist Richard Tandy, sounded magnificent as it continued through such rockin good favorites as Evil Woman, Livin Thing and Rockaria."
Jim Harrinton (September 12, 2016 - Mercury News review of September 10, 2016 show)
"Evil Woman, the second song of the night, reassured the others that the hits would be heard."
Kurt Gottschalk (September 18, 2016 - The Gothamist review of September 16, 2016 show)
"A rundown of ELO standards came early and often, with Evil Woman slotted as the show s second entry. For his part, Lynne stayed politely brief and appreciative, speaking only a few times between the barrage of hits."
Larson Sutton (October 13, 2016 - Relix Media review of September 10, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 4:24
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Showdown (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"[There is] barely time to catch a breath before Showdown leads to the irrepressibly buoyant All Over the World..."
Jennifer Gannon (May 10, 2016 - State magazine review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"Evil Woman gets the party started and the more soulful Showdown is an unexpected early highlight."
Chris Slater (June 23, 2016 - Manchester Evening News review of June 22, 2016 concert)
"Lynne heads even further back into ELO s catalog from there, opting for 1973 cut Showdown, a smoothed out stroll of a number that again is wonderfully executed by the skilled performers of the HBO."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"The front part of the show was geared a bit more toward slower numbers such as Showdown or newer songs..."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
"The standout among the two fresh songs performed Friday was Love and Rain, partly because of how much it resembled the tune that had come just two songs before, Showdown, in its background vocal and guitar sound."
Chris Willman (September 11, 2016 - Billboard review of September 2016 Hollwwood Bowl shows)
"His timeless voice, buttressed by a trio of singers, including his daughter Laura, carried the indelible melodies and falsetto peaks on Showdown and All Over the World."
Larson Sutton (October 13, 2016 - Relix Media review of September 10, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 4:33
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On:
- Oxfam Presents: Stand As One - Live At Glastonbury 2016 Various Artists CD album (2016 August 19 — UK — PLG UK Frontline 0190295931476)
- Oxfam Presents: Stand As One - Live At Glastonbury 2016 Various Artists LP album (2017 April 22 — UK — PLG UK ?)
All Over The World (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"All Over the World was especially memorable, a feelgood anthem whose massed harmonies owed more than a little to the vocal rapture of The Beach Boys."
Rob Hughes (April 11, 2016 - Telegraph review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"With joyous, note perfection rendition of songs like Tightrope, All Over The World, Strange Magic and the Roy Orbisonesque Can't Get It Out Of My Head..."
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
Editor's Note: Strange Magic was not performed at the April 10 concert.
"But it was the high-octane oldies that really got the room moving. All over the World, and Living Thing had a typically vibrant feel."
Russ Coffey (April 21, 2016 - theartdesk.com review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"[There is] barely time to catch a breath before Showdown leads to the irrepressibly buoyant All Over the World where the Bee Gees meet the Beatles on a space age dance floor."
Jennifer Gannon (May 10, 2016 - State magazine review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"London, Hamburg, Paris, Rome; Rio, Hong Kong, Tokyo; L.A., New York, Amsterdam; Monte Carlo, Shard End and.... spot the odd one out! The lyrics to All Over The World name check some of the glamorous cities that writer, singer and producer Jeff Lynne must have visited while fronting the Electric Light Orchestra in the 1970s and 1980s. But Jeff also, somewhat tongue in cheek, included the Birmingham suburb where he grew up - and how he must have relished singing the line just a few miles from his old stomping ground."
Adrian Caffery (June 25, 2016 - Birmingham Mail review of June 24, 2016 concert)
"You suspect that in some parallel universe the likes of Turn to Stone, Party All Over the World [sic] and the driving boogie of Roll Over Beethoven would prompt mass festival singalongs."
Gwilym Mumford (June 26, 2016 - The Guardian review of June 26, 2016 concert)
"Next, rare track All Over the World delivered a more straightforward, upbeat pop confection, famously written for the 1980 film Xanadu. This one is all singalong choruses and serene falsettos floating up above delicate stabs from the string section."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"ELO's exquisitely produced, aerodynamic hits, including Evil Woman, All Over the World and Don't Bring Me Down, ignited FM radio throughout the 1970s and early '80s, soaring through arenas and into a generation's collective memory."
Randall Roberts (September 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times review of September 9, 2016 show)
"Among the many standout moments were Livin Thing, All Over The World, from the highly underrated soundtrack to Xanadu, Turn To Stone and a rousing singalong of Don't Bring Me Down that had even everyone in the boxes up and dancing."
Steve Baltin (September 11, 2016 - Forbes review of September 10, 2016 show)
"His timeless voice, buttressed by a trio of singers, including his daughter Laura, carried the indelible melodies and falsetto peaks on Showdown and All Over the World."
Larson Sutton (October 13, 2016 - Relix Media review of September 10, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 4:25
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Love And Rain (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"Most folks likely won t know that having bought out former ELO member Bev Bevan s stake in the band s name year s ago, Lynne released a new album Alone in the Universe under the moniker Jeff Lynne s ELO in 2015. On this night he played two songs from that album Love and Rain and When I Was a Boy, thankfully both nestled comfortably in the same mold as his other outstanding material. On the former Lynne was joined by his daughter Laura on backing vocals."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"The front part of the show was geared a bit more toward slower numbers such as Showdown or newer songs such as Love and Rain, which apparently got its world premiere during ELO s Hollywood Bowl debut."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
"The standout among the two fresh songs performed Friday was Love and Rain, partly because of how much it resembled the tune that had come just two songs before, Showdown, in its background vocal and guitar sound."
Chris Willman (September 11, 2016 - Billboard review of September 2016 Hollwwood Bowl shows)
- Running Time: 3:58
- Record Date: September 9, 2016
- Record Location: Hollywood Bowl, California, USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Laura Lynne (backing vocals), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
When I Was A Boy (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"When I Was A Boy from last year s new album, Alone in the Universe, sounds like the last McCartney song that The Beatles forgot to record. It is such a wonderful piece of songwriting that it felt like we had known it our whole lives."
Gary Lambert (April 6, 2016 - GetIntoThis.co.uk review of April 5, 2016 show)
"Jeff will be performing When I Was A Boy, the first single and the opening track on the album. It s the most autiobiographical song he s done, with lyrics about growing up here in Birmingham. So it's sure to mean something extra special to him - and the Brummies in the audience - when we hear it at the Genting Arena."
David Bentley (April 10, 2016 - Birmingham Mail)
"There were also a trio of songs from the latest album, including of course the auto-biographical When I Was A Boy. "
Martin Hutchinson (April 14, 2016 - Lancashire Telegraph review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"We even sang along to music from the new album Alone in the Universe, the first new music from ELO in 15 years, especially the Beatles-esque When I Was A Boy about growing up here in Birmingham."
Roz Laws (April 16, 2016 - Birmingham Mail review of April 16, 2016 concert)
"Melody piled upon melody during upbeat stomps such as Turn To Stone and Don't Bring Me Down, as well as the slow swoon Telephone Line and a nostalgic new one, When I Was A Boy."
David Smyth (April 21, 2016 - Evening Standard review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"However, even when Lynne and his band performed two songs from the new album, the beautifully reflective When I Was A Boy and Ain't It A Drag, such are those compositions in the very same vein as the ELO peerless back catalogue, that anyone would be hard pushed to spot, what is in essence, the seamless join between the old and new material. "
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"A couple of new songs — When I Was a Boy, and Ain t Life a Drag showed they could hold their own."
Russ Coffey (April 21, 2016 - theartdesk.com review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"A big fan of the Beatles, Jeff s music draws heavily on their influence, no more so than in his recent hit single, When I Was A Boy, from the new album Alone in the Universe, which was very reminiscent of the Beatle s Free As A Bird, which he produced in 1994 along with the late George Harrison. It's descending piano line, the floating minor seventh in the chorus, the solid, heavy drumming all made it sound as if one was listening to the Fab Four. "
Claire Lomax (April 22, 2016 - Ilkley Gazette review of April 9, 2016 concert)
"There were only a couple of tracks from last year s Alone In The Universe album; Ain t It A Drag, with its echoes of Lynne s fellow Travelling Wilbury Roy Orbison, and the wistful When I Was A Boy, about Lynne s Birmingham boyhood."
Clair Woodward (April 24, 2016 - Daily Express review of unidentified London O2 concert)
"There are some new songs thrown in, such as the Beatles-esque When I Was A Boy from last year's record Alone In the Universe."
Chris Slater (June 23, 2016 - Manchester Evening News review of June 22, 2016 concert)
"There was also room for a couple of tracks from Jeff s new album, Alone In The Universe, his first collection of original material in 15 years. The Beatles-esque When I Was A Boy, in which Jeff sings about growing up in Birmingham ('don't want to work on the milk or the bread, I just want to play my guitar instead') held its own in such esteemed company."
Adrian Caffery (June 25, 2016 - Birmingham Mail review of June 24, 2016 concert)
"Most folks likely won t know that having bought out former ELO member Bev Bevan s stake in the band s name year s ago, Lynne released a new album Alone in the Universe under the moniker Jeff Lynne s ELO in 2015. On this night he played two songs from that album Love and Rain and When I Was a Boy, thankfully both nestled comfortably in the same mold as his other outstanding material. On the former Lynne was joined by his daughter Laura on backing vocals."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"The band also showcased its latest, and 13th overall, studio album, last year s Alone in the Universe, performing the sweet When I Was a Boy."
Jim Harrinton (September 12, 2016 - Mercury News review of September 10, 2016 show)
"Only one song from the band's 2015 album Alone In The Universe was included in the set: the single When I Was A Boy."
Unknown (September 19, 2016 - ABC News Radio review of September 18, 2016 show)
"Violinist Rosie Langley stepped into the light for FM staple Livin Thing, before a trip forward to the sole Alone in the Universe cut, When I Was a Boy. With a simple spinning 45 as his backdrop, Lynne s touching autobiographical ballad raised as many cellphone cameras as classics like Sweet Talkin Woman, Turn to Stone and Telephone Line."
Larson Sutton (October 13, 2016 - Relix Media review of September 10, 2016 show)
Editor's Note: The backdrop for When I Was A Boy was not a spinning 45 (which was used on Rockaria! instead), but rather a nighttime moving landscape of trees.
- Running Time: 3:27
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Livin' Thing (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"During Livin Thing, we found ourselves filling up with tears, despite a total lack of emotional link to ELO. Yet everything seemed to join together to create a moment where the rest of the world dissolved and all that mattered was the concrete bowl of the Echo Arena. With his violinist at the front grabbing attention with each note and Lynne effortlessly forcing the audience to sing along it was truly magnificent — and for a good ten seconds a little overwhelming."
Gary Lambert (April 6, 2016 - GetIntoThis.co.uk review of April 5, 2016 show)
"Helping bring the music alive is a rhythm section and a string trio, delivering the elaborate orchestrations that songs like Sweet Talkin Woman and Livin' Thing just wouldn t be the same without."
David Bentley (April 10, 2016 - Birmingham Mail)
"A three-piece string section provided added uplift, particularly on a euphoric version of Livin Thing and the operatic space-boogie of Rockaria!"
Rob Hughes (April 11, 2016 - Telegraph review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"There's no doubting that the performances of the string-laden Livin Thing, the operatic influenced Rockaria, Sweet Talkin Woman, the delicious Telephone Line, the foot stomping rock of Don't Bring Me Down and the crowd and radio favourite Mr. Blue Sky will especially linger long in the memory."
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"But it was the high-octane oldies that really got the room moving. All over the World, and Living Thing had a typically vibrant feel."
Russ Coffey (April 21, 2016 - theartdesk.com review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"Each song is nailed. For example, as the violinist takes centre stage to kick off Living Thing [sic] - again - 30,000 people lose it."
Jon Falcone (April 29, 2016 - Drowned In Sound review of Unidentified concert)
"Each band member is of prodigious talent, meaning that every song is studded with tiny musical diamonds — from the Hungarian-folk violin of Livin Thing, to the jazz piano solo on Don't Bring Me Down, and the clear-cut operatic vocals of Rockaria. More than that, they all seem delighted to be there. "
Jess Worsdale (May 8, 2016 - GoldenPlec review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"The impressive set with its War of the Worlds meets Lord of the Rings hypnotic circular visuals rotating over head, can at times feel a little Spinal Tap but they distract from an otherwise quiet stage presence with barely any in between song chatter, the band let the songs speak for themselves. Anyway, these pomp rock elements are forgivable when Lynne throws out supreme gems as perfectly formed as Livin Thing and the lush, dreamy Strange Magic in his own effortless manner. "
Jennifer Gannon (May 10, 2016 - State magazine review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"A well-attended greatest hits set by Jeff Lynne s ELO at the Pyramid delights in a softer way, with Jeff s thumbs-aloft good humour and songs like Livin Thing and Mr. Blue Sky making up for the unique discomfort of being rained on while sunburnt."
Ian Harrison (June 30, 2016 - MOJO review of June 26, 2016 concert)
"Later, ELO violinist Rosie Langley came to center stage alongside Lynne for A New World Record track Livin Thing. The set already had felt polished and uplifting in nearly indescribable ways, but here along with Langley s outstanding bow work this song formulated as pure sonic majesty."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"The current ELO lineup surrounds Lynne with 12 musicians, with keyboard player Richard Tandy the member of the band who s been with him back to the 70s, and his string section — two cellists and violinist — still took the lead on many of the signature bits and pieces of ELO classics, such as a violin filigree that opens Livin Thing, another instant crowd-pleaser of a moment."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
"Under the direction of conductor Thomas Wilkins, the Bowl Orchestra added a monumental depth to Living Thing... [...] And on the act's 1976 hit Livin' Thing, Lynne's energy zipped through the Bowl like he was a surfer hitting a barrel: 'Sailin' away on the crest of a wave/It's like magic/Oh, rollin' and ridin' and slippin' and slidin'/It's magic.'"
Randall Roberts (September 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times review of September 9, 2016 show)
"Among the many standout moments were Livin Thing, All Over The World, from the highly underrated soundtrack to Xanadu, Turn To Stone and a rousing singalong of Don't Bring Me Down that had even everyone in the boxes up and dancing."
Steve Baltin (September 11, 2016 - Forbes review of September 10, 2016 show)
"It's a younger crew filling out the other roles, including an all-female string trio, with Rosie Langley moving to the front to play the featured part on Livin Thing, looking decidedly leggier in her split gown than the Mik Kaminski of yore."
Chris Willman (September 11, 2016 - Billboard review of September 2016 Hollwwood Bowl shows)
"ELO, which still features keyboardist Richard Tandy, sounded magnificent as it continued through such rockin good favorites as Evil Woman, Livin Thing and Rockaria."
Jim Harrinton (September 12, 2016 - Mercury News review of September 10, 2016 show)
"Particularly impressive was violinist Rosie Langley, who added a dash of rock cool as she stood to Lynne's right for the solo on Livin' Thing."
Unknown (September 19, 2016 - ABC News Radio review of September 18, 2016 show)
"Violinist Rosie Langley stepped into the light for FM staple Livin Thing..."
Larson Sutton (October 13, 2016 - Relix Media review of September 10, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 4:22
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Ain't It A Drag (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"Second single When The Night Comes will also be on the setlist, as will another cut from the album, Ain t It A Drag."
David Bentley (April 10, 2016 - Birmingham Mail)
"However, even when Lynne and his band performed two songs from the new album, the beautifully reflective When I Was A Boy and Ain't It A Drag, such are those compositions in the very same vein as the ELO peerless back catalogue, that anyone would be hard pushed to spot, what is in essence, the seamless join between the old and new material. "
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"A couple of new songs — When I Was a Boy, and Ain t Life a Drag showed they could hold their own."
Russ Coffey (April 21, 2016 - theartdesk.com review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"There were only a couple of tracks from last year s Alone In The Universe album; Ain t It A Drag, with its echoes of Lynne s fellow Travelling Wilbury Roy Orbison, and the wistful When I Was A Boy, about Lynne s Birmingham boyhood."
Clair Woodward (April 24, 2016 - Daily Express review of unidentified London O2 concert)
- Running Time: 3:01
- Record Date: April and May, 2016
- Record Location: Europe
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"Elsewhere, Lynne s love of Roy Orbison, his former bandmate in Eighties supergroup The Travelling Wilburys, was evident in the wistful introspection of Can't Get It Out Of My Head and Steppin Out."
Rob Hughes (April 11, 2016 - Telegraph review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"With joyous, note perfection rendition of songs like Tightrope, All Over The World, Strange Magic and the Roy Orbisonesque Can't Get It Out Of My Head..."
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
Editor's Note: Strange Magic was not performed at the April 10 concert.
"The seriously Beatle-ish Can't Get It Out of My Head finds a count of seven people cupping their lips to a microphone as the strings rise and are cross-hatched by keyboards. One of Lynne s more affecting lyrics, it's a persuasive advert for the ELO frontman as a little-boy-lost, gazing up into space as he struggles to understand women (it has been quite a struggle, given songs like Evil Woman)."
Kitty Empire (April 24, 2016 - The Guardian review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"Lynne let things simmer down beautifully from there on Eldorado cut Can't Get It Out of My Head before taking the final portion of the set to really pull out the big guns."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"But at other times the power of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra flowed beautifully into and through these songs, especially... Can't Get It Out Of My Head, which was filled with long passages of symphonic melodies."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
"The ballad Can't Get It Out of My Head was set on a boat adrift at sea, the shoreline in the distance, where Lynne mulled heartbreak under the stars, obsessed and alone."
Randall Roberts (September 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times review of September 9, 2016 show)
"Even the quieter moments, Telephone Line and the sublime Can't Get It Out Of My Head, brought nothing but smiles."
Steve Baltin (September 11, 2016 - Forbes review of September 10, 2016 show)
"The 18-song setlist is essentially the same as what Lynne has been doing overseas without symphonic accompaniment, focusing mainly on the run of hits that began in America with Can't Get It Out of My Head, inarguably the prettiest song of 1974."
Chris Willman (September 11, 2016 - Billboard review of September 2016 Hollwwood Bowl shows)
- Running Time: 4:50
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Strange Magic (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"With joyous, note perfection rendition of songs like Tightrope, All Over The World, Strange Magic and the Roy Orbisonesque Can't Get It Out Of My Head..."
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
Editor's Note: Strange Magic was not performed at the April 10 concert.
"The impressive set with its War of the Worlds meets Lord of the Rings hypnotic circular visuals rotating over head, can at times feel a little Spinal Tap but they distract from an otherwise quiet stage presence with barely any in between song chatter, the band let the songs speak for themselves. Anyway, these pomp rock elements are forgivable when Lynne throws out supreme gems as perfectly formed as Livin Thing and the lush, dreamy Strange Magic in his own effortless manner. "
Jennifer Gannon (May 10, 2016 - State magazine review of May 7, 2016 concert)
- Running Time: 4:03
- Record Date: April and May, 2016
- Record Location: Europe
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased
Rockaria! (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"A three-piece string section provided added uplift, particularly on a euphoric version of Livin Thing and the operatic space-boogie of Rockaria!"
Rob Hughes (April 11, 2016 - Telegraph review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"There's no doubting that the performances of the string-laden Livin Thing, the operatic influenced Rockaria, Sweet Talkin Woman, the delicious Telephone Line, the foot stomping rock of Don't Bring Me Down and the crowd and radio favourite Mr. Blue Sky will especially linger long in the memory."
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"Likewise his singers were superb, particularly Melanie Lewis-McDonald in Rockaria with her soaring soprano voice"
Claire Lomax (April 22, 2016 - Ilkley Gazette review of April 9, 2016 concert)
"Each band member is of prodigious talent, meaning that every song is studded with tiny musical diamonds — from the Hungarian-folk violin of Livin Thing, to the jazz piano solo on Don't Bring Me Down, and the clear-cut operatic vocals of Rockaria. More than that, they all seem delighted to be there. "
Jess Worsdale (May 8, 2016 - GoldenPlec review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"Not impressed enough? Lynne upped the ante with Rockaria, somehow impossibly combining a blues-rock number with crack opera vocals from group member Melanie Lewis McDonald."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"Occasionally bombastic? Sure. Rockaria! opened with an operatic female vocalist delivering the first lines of an aria, only to be interrupted by Lynne and band countering with a Chuck Berry-inspired rock 'n' roll riff. The subject? A lyrical duel between that opera singer and her would-be rocker suitor."
Randall Roberts (September 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times review of September 9, 2016 show)
"But the real highlights were the mid-period ones that made full use of the strings, then and now, in a tongue-in-cheek fashion — namely, the hilarious opera/rock crossover anthem Rockaria! (with backup singer Melanie Lewis-McDonald cast in the role of Beverly Sills)..."
Chris Willman (September 11, 2016 - Billboard review of September 2016 Hollwwood Bowl shows)
"ELO, which still features keyboardist Richard Tandy, sounded magnificent as it continued through such rockin good favorites as Evil Woman, Livin Thing and Rockaria."
Jim Harrinton (September 12, 2016 - Mercury News review of September 10, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 3:39
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
When The Night Comes (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"Second single When The Night Comes will also be on the setlist, as will another cut from the album, Ain t It A Drag."
David Bentley (April 10, 2016 - Birmingham Mail)
- Running Time: 3:21
- Record Date: April and May, 2016
- Record Location: Europe
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
10538 Overture (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"10538 Overture is thrashed out as though it were drone rock. It is Nineties drone rock, but 20 years earlier (Weller should pay up!)."
Jon Falcone (April 29, 2016 - Drowned In Sound review of Unidentified concert)
"[The band is] augmented by a three-woman string section who excel on 10538 Overture, still an uncanny exorcisem of Black Country ghosts."
Keith Cameron (May 24, 2016 - MOJO review of April Birmingham show)
"Then, the synergy of rock and classical was pushed even further, adding in first album, 1972 track 10538 Overture featuring a lush use of acoustic guitars and strings."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"But at other times the power of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra flowed beautifully into and through these songs, especially the mid-show pairing of 10538 Overture, where the horns, French, I presume, and strings added beautiful touches to the mix..."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
"And Lynne's debt to the Beatles was evident throughout. When he performed the first ELO single, 10538 Overture, from 1972, echoes of Lennon seemed actionable. (In fact, Lynne later produced two posthumous Beatles songs, Real Love and Free As a Bird, as well as working with George Harrison.)"
Randall Roberts (September 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times review of September 9, 2016 show)
"No true obscurities, but fan service was provided mid-set in the form of the debut album s 10538 Overture, marking the more modest origins of Electric Light Orchestra as a sort of tribute act to the cello-driven sound of I Am the Walrus and Strawberry Fields."
Chris Willman (September 11, 2016 - Billboard review of September 2016 Hollwwood Bowl shows)
10538 Overture, from the group s 1971 debut, anchored the show s midpoint."
Larson Sutton (October 13, 2016 - Relix Media review of September 10, 2016 show)
- Running Time: -4:48
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Secret Messages (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"There's a couple of tracks [off Secret Messages], Secret Messages itself, we've done a couple of times on stage, but I'd like to start doing that again. Because, you know, you have to play for an hour and a half or more and I need those extra songs anywa, y'know, so it will be good to start putting some of those in and make it new again, y'know."
Jeff Lynne (November 25, 2015 - SiriusXM Town Hall)
- Running Time: 5:03
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Steppin' Out (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"Elsewhere, Lynne s love of Roy Orbison, his former bandmate in Eighties supergroup The Travelling Wilburys, was evident in the wistful introspection of Can't Get It Out Of My Head and Steppin Out."
Rob Hughes (April 11, 2016 - Telegraph review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"Over two hours on Saturday it teleported thousands back to the joyful music of their youth, a 13-strong band complete with trademark string section punching out hit after hit, including a stunning new take on the slowburning Steppin Out, a track from their monster-selling double album Out of the Blue."
Simon Jenkins (April 11, 2016 - Yorkshire Evening Post review of April 9, 2016 concert)
"When ELO play the plangent, dreamy Steppin Out, Lynne says at the end that the song is 'better than it used to be' — a comment that speaks volumes."
Kitty Empire (April 24, 2016 - The Guardian review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"...star constellations waltz in Steppin' Out."
Keith Cameron (May 24, 2016 - MOJO review of April Birmingham show)
- Running Time: 3:39
- Record Date: April and May, 2016
- Record Location: Europe
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Shine A Little Love (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"The concert built to a brilliant finale, with the excitement growing from the joyous Shine A Little Love."
Roz Laws (April 16, 2016 - Birmingham Mail review of April 16, 2016 concert)
"As the Bee Gees-esque Shine a Little Love fades out and the band introduce themselves, they pause to thank Lynne for 'letting us be part of this wonderful Electric Light Orchestra'."
Jess Worsdale (May 8, 2016 - GoldenPlec review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"The disco monster mash of Shine a Little Love is zippy fun, pure old school razzmatazz with green lasers filling the air and the Saturday night crowd clapping well out of time..."
Jennifer Gannon (May 10, 2016 - State magazine review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"Under the direction of conductor Thomas Wilkins, the Bowl Orchestra... made the disco strings on Shine a Little Love swirl with a wild physicality."
Randall Roberts (September 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times review of September 9, 2016 show)
"ELO s adaption to the disco era also got its due, with the Bee-Gees-on-even-more-helium froth of Shine a Little Love."
Chris Willman (September 11, 2016 - Billboard review of September 2016 Hollwwood Bowl shows)
- Running Time: 5:43
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Wild West Hero (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"Then there's the vocal talents of the band, with a fantastic three part harmony showcasing their skills in Wild West Hero."
David Bentley (April 10, 2016 - Birmingham Mail)
"By this point, the audience are on their feet, a standing ovation human dance machine which grooves on through the tight harmony and aching nostalgia of Wild West Hero, and backbeat driven ballad Telephone Line."
Jess Worsdale (May 8, 2016 - GoldenPlec review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"Yes, the final six songs truly set the controls for the heart of the sun, each somehow managing to outdo the last in pristine musical arrangement. The first of which Wild West Hero plays like Lynne s version of a cowboy song. It s latter half features a seven-part harmony where the music drops out and a lyric that has the crowd cheering, 'Ride the range all the day till the first fading light / be with my western girl round the fire, oh, so bright / I d be the Indians friend, let them live to be free / ridin into the sunset, I wish I could be.' This is complemented by the lovelorn charm of the longing number Telephone Line off A New World Record."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"After Wild West Hero, apparently in its U.S. debut..."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 4:19
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Telephone Line (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"It was Telephone Line s anthemic chorus that had the audience singing along at the Liverpool gig, but with so many great songs, you'll probably be joining in with Jeff on more than just that one."
David Bentley (April 10, 2016 - Birmingham Mail)
"Melody piled upon melody during upbeat stomps such as Turn To Stone and Don't Bring Me Down, as well as the slow swoon Telephone Line and a nostalgic new one, When I Was A Boy."
David Smyth (April 21, 2016 - Evening Standard review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"There's no doubting that the performances of the string-laden Livin Thing, the operatic influenced Rockaria, Sweet Talkin Woman, the delicious Telephone Line, the foot stomping rock of Don't Bring Me Down and the crowd and radio favourite Mr. Blue Sky will especially linger long in the memory."
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"Lynne s sad songs definitely say the most. Telephone Line burbles and whirrs, suffused with wistfulness and 50s doo-wops."
Kitty Empire (April 24, 2016 - The Guardian review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"Telephone Line stitches snippets of Bacharach, the Everly Brothers, Frankie Valli, Roy Orbison and the wall of sound so gloriously. It re-appropriates them and beams them out as new colours, as the ELO."
Jon Falcone (April 29, 2016 - Drowned In Sound review of Unidentified concert)
"By this point, the audience are on their feet, a standing ovation human dance machine which grooves on through the tight harmony and aching nostalgia of Wild West Hero, and backbeat driven ballad Telephone Line."
Jess Worsdale (May 8, 2016 - GoldenPlec review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"It's the melancholy ache of the beautiful Telephone Line that truly stuns. As its strings swell and the doo-wop chorus kicks in it's a pop master class that illustrates the very best of Lynne s song-writing and has many grown men wiping away a few secret tears in the darkness. What he manages to create is the feeling, the possibility of childlike wonder to be found even as a world weary adult, that he gifts to his audience like a British Brian Wilson."
Jennifer Gannon (May 10, 2016 - State magazine review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"The audience greets Telephone Line-- perhaps Lynne's most supremely melancholic anthem in a career defined by such-- with a collective intake of breath so loud it prompts an aftershock of nervous laughter. Hearing 15,000 people gasp in unison is a rare experience, but such is the strange power of ELO."
Keith Cameron (May 24, 2016 - MOJO review of April Birmingham show)
"[Wild West Hero] is complemented by the lovelorn charm of the longing number Telephone Line off A New World Record."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"After... Telephone Line, with all its beeps ad burbles and unanswered phone rings, offered a slower slice of the wistful nostalgia in which so many ELO songs trade..."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
"His voice expressed deep longing and a sense of isolated desperation during Telephone Line. 'Hello, how are you? Have you been all right, through all those lonely nights?' sang Lynne, seemingly on the phone with his significant other — before revealing her absence."
Randall Roberts (September 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times review of September 9, 2016 show)
"Even the quieter moments, Telephone Line and the sublime Can't Get It Out Of My Head, brought nothing but smiles."
Steve Baltin (September 11, 2016 - Forbes review of September 10, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 4:58
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Turn To Stone (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"Melody piled upon melody during upbeat stomps such as Turn To Stone and Don't Bring Me Down, as well as the slow swoon Telephone Line and a nostalgic new one, When I Was A Boy."
David Smyth (April 21, 2016 - Evening Standard review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"It was the closing four tracks, though — Turn to Stone, Don't Bring Me Down, Sweet Talkin Woman, and Mr Blue Sky — that really sent shivers up the spine. Unsurprisingly, they also brought the house down. "
Russ Coffey (April 21, 2016 - theartdesk.com review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"Turn To Stone (with a film of stones, although to be fair they did take the form of asteroids) got the sixtysomething crowd on their feet and swaying from side to side as much as their hips would allow."
Will Hodgkinson (April 21, 2016 - The Times review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"There are no spaceships landing on the stage but his more cosmic tracks such as Turn to Stone are more than done justice with an impressive, if understated, light and screen show."
Chris Slater (June 23, 2016 - Manchester Evening News review of June 22, 2016 concert)
"You suspect that in some parallel universe the likes of Turn to Stone, Party All Over the World [sic] and the driving boogie of Roll Over Beethoven would prompt mass festival singalongs."
Gwilym Mumford (June 26, 2016 - The Guardian review of June 26, 2016 concert)
"Turn To Stone soundtracks an asteroid shower..."
Keith Cameron (May 24, 2016 - MOJO review of April Birmingham show)
"The crowd already enraptured rise to their feet in glee as the opening keyboards of Turn to Stone (off landmark album Out of the Blue) are played. Much of the subtle genius Lynne exhibits is evident in this number: lush pop hooks, driving rocking rhythms and elaborate symphonic flourishes."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"The final run of the night packed the biggest and hardest rocking numbers of all: Turn To Stone and Don't Bring Me Down two of the biggest, before Mr. Blue Sky, all lush and lovely harmonies, wrapped up the main set."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
"Fans have seemingly been waiting light years for Lynne to return to his classics. Proof? How the sold-out crowd, during a roaring version of Lynne's ode to longing Turn to Stone, bellowed word-for-word that classic, double-time vocal break: 'Yes I'm turning to stone 'cause you ain't coming home/ Why ain't you coming home if I'm turning to stone? /You've been gone for so long and I can't carry on/ Yes I'm turning, I'm turning, I'm turning to stone.' That instrument-free refrain only lasted a few bars, but when the music — electric and acoustic guitars, synthesizers, sheets of strings and a backing track adding layers of studio effects — returned, it did so with a blast that likely echoed across the Hollywood basin."
Randall Roberts (September 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times review of September 9, 2016 show)
"Among the many standout moments were Livin Thing, All Over The World, from the highly underrated soundtrack to Xanadu, Turn To Stone and a rousing singalong of Don't Bring Me Down that had even everyone in the boxes up and dancing."
Steve Baltin (September 11, 2016 - Forbes review of September 10, 2016 show)
"It's fair to say that the familiar choral effects heard on a couple of occasions were not emanating from the handful of mics onstage, but when the show got to the motor-mouthed a cappella bridge in Turn to Stone, it felt like surprising proof that Lynne really has cracked the code of how to stack vocals that masterfully live as well as on tape."
Chris Willman (September 11, 2016 - Billboard review of September 2016 Hollwwood Bowl shows)
"The band saved many of its best tunes for last, soaring through Turn to Stone, Sweet Talkin Woman and Mr. Blue Sky at the end of the main set."
Jim Harrinton (September 12, 2016 - Mercury News review of September 10, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 4:08
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Don't Bring Me Down (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"Don't Bring Me Down is likely to threaten to bring the arena down, judging from the stamping of feet that had Liverpool s Echo Arena vibrating when this song was performed towards the end of the night. Get your best stomping shoes on."
David Bentley (April 10, 2016 - Birmingham Mail)
"Melody piled upon melody during upbeat stomps such as Turn To Stone and Don't Bring Me Down, as well as the slow swoon Telephone Line and a nostalgic new one, When I Was A Boy."
David Smyth (April 21, 2016 - Evening Standard review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"And there are precious few groups who can close a show with a triple-whammy to equal Don't Bring Me Down, Sweet Talkin Woman and Mr. Blue Sky. Here s hoping Jeff Lynne is back for good this time round."
Rob Hughes (April 11, 2016 - Telegraph review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"There's no doubting that the performances of the string-laden Livin Thing, the operatic influenced Rockaria, Sweet Talkin Woman, the delicious Telephone Line, the foot stomping rock of Don't Bring Me Down and the crowd and radio favourite Mr. Blue Sky will especially linger long in the memory."
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"It was the closing four tracks, though — Turn to Stone, Don't Bring Me Down, Sweet Talkin Woman, and Mr Blue Sky — that really sent shivers up the spine. Unsurprisingly, they also brought the house down. "
Russ Coffey (April 21, 2016 - theartdesk.com review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"It has lost none of its charm but Don't Bring Me Down, with is thundering bass line, is one of the few songs on show tonight that sounds a tad dated."
Chris Slater (June 23, 2016 - Manchester Evening News review of June 22, 2016 concert)
"The sold-out Hollywood Bowl crowd cheered as the opening, driving melody of Don't Bring Me Down began. Casual music fans not well versed in ELO are saying to themselves right now, 'Wait, they did that song too?' Yes, Jeff Lynne s work is so pervasive that he s done numerous brilliant tracks you didn t even know were his. Hearing this number along with 18,000 some-odd fans is kind of like being transported back into the 70s. One imagines a vintage diner with carloads of people pulling up, someone, somewhere blasting the tune from an in-car quadraphonic stereo system. And it all ends from there exactly as it should."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"The final run of the night packed the biggest and hardest rocking numbers of all: Turn To Stone and Don't Bring Me Down two of the biggest, before Mr. Blue Sky, all lush and lovely harmonies, wrapped up the main set."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
"ELO's exquisitely produced, aerodynamic hits, including Evil Woman, All Over the World and Don't Bring Me Down, ignited FM radio throughout the 1970s and early '80s, soaring through arenas and into a generation's collective memory."
Randall Roberts (September 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times review of September 9, 2016 show)
"Among the many standout moments were Livin Thing, All Over The World, from the highly underrated soundtrack to Xanadu, Turn To Stone and a rousing singalong of Don't Bring Me Down that had even everyone in the boxes up and dancing."
Steve Baltin (September 11, 2016 - Forbes review of September 10, 2016 show)
"The celebratory duo of Don't Bring Me Down and Mr. Blue Sky closed Lynne s set."
Larson Sutton (October 13, 2016 - Relix Media review of September 10, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 4:23
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Sweet Talkin' Woman (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"Helping bring the music alive is a rhythm section and a string trio, delivering the elaborate orchestrations that songs like Sweet Talkin Woman and Livin' Thing just wouldn t be the same without."
David Bentley (April 10, 2016 - Birmingham Mail)
"And there are precious few groups who can close a show with a triple-whammy to equal Don't Bring Me Down, Sweet Talkin Woman and Mr. Blue Sky. Here s hoping Jeff Lynne is back for good this time round."
Rob Hughes (April 11, 2016 - Telegraph review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"There's no doubting that the performances of the string-laden Livin Thing, the operatic influenced Rockaria, Sweet Talkin Woman, the delicious Telephone Line, the foot stomping rock of Don't Bring Me Down and the crowd and radio favourite Mr. Blue Sky will especially linger long in the memory."
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"It was the closing four tracks, though — Turn to Stone, Don't Bring Me Down, Sweet Talkin Woman, and Mr Blue Sky — that really sent shivers up the spine. Unsurprisingly, they also brought the house down. "
Russ Coffey (April 21, 2016 - theartdesk.com review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"The poppy Sweet Talking Woman furthers the excellence culled from the Out of the Blue album and allows longtime ELO pianist Richard Tandy to sing its call-and-response refrains through vocoder effect."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"The band saved many of its best tunes for last, soaring through Turn to Stone, Sweet Talkin Woman and Mr. Blue Sky at the end of the main set."
Jim Harrinton (September 12, 2016 - Mercury News review of September 10, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 3:54
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Mr. Blue Sky (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"There is one song though that the whole night was building towards, one of the greatest British pop songs ever, Mr Blue Sky. Strangely the emotional hit of earlier tracks did not accompany this most obvious of hits, probably because it is so entrenched as part of the British musical psyche. Regardless of that, this is the real moment everybody is searching for and it does not disappoint. Sounding as fresh as a blue skied summer s day now as the last time you heard it, it blasts the audience with adrenaline for one crazed finale. Or at least it should have done. With the band going off at end of that song but the house lights staying off also we knew there was at least one encore in the script. That came with an amalgamation of Beethoven s 5th Symphony and Roll Over Beethoven. No matter how good this was, it was not going to beat the Mr Blue Sky moment, so it felt a bit of an anti-climax."
Gary Lambert (April 6, 2016 - GetIntoThis.co.uk review of April 5, 2016 show)
"And there are precious few groups who can close a show with a triple-whammy to equal Don't Bring Me Down, Sweet Talkin Woman and Mr. Blue Sky. Here s hoping Jeff Lynne is back for good this time round."
Rob Hughes (April 11, 2016 - Telegraph review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"The set culminated in the ultimate heatwave anthem Mr Blue Sky, before a riotous encore of Chuck Berry s Roll Over Beethoven."
Simon Jenkins (April 11, 2016 - Yorkshire Evening Post review of April 9, 2016 concert)
"Projecting the emblem of Birmingham City FC on to the stage during [Mr. Blue Sky] was a nice touch."
Roz Laws (April 16, 2016 - Birmingham Mail review of April 16, 2016 concert)
"There's no doubting that the performances of the string-laden Livin Thing, the operatic influenced Rockaria, Sweet Talkin Woman, the delicious Telephone Line, the foot stomping rock of Don't Bring Me Down and the crowd and radio favourite Mr. Blue Sky will especially linger long in the memory."
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"It was the closing four tracks, though — Turn to Stone, Don't Bring Me Down, Sweet Talkin Woman, and Mr Blue Sky — that really sent shivers up the spine. Unsurprisingly, they also brought the house down. "
Russ Coffey (April 21, 2016 - theartdesk.com review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"To finish the show they had reserved the best until last, a perfect rendition of Mr Blue Sky which if they were not already on their feet by this time had all the rest of the audience up there and clapping along. "
Claire Lomax (April 22, 2016 - Ilkley Gazette review of April 9, 2016 concert)
"The new stuff fits in the cannon nicely, and as Mr Blue Sky closes the set, even the grey haired rocker who looks a bit cool for this kind of show raises his head and howls with joy like a wolf."
Jon Falcone (April 29, 2016 - Drowned In Sound review of Unidentified concert)
"As lights and audience wave and dance in unison and the band close out with Mr Blue Sky and Roll Over Beethoven, Lynne stands surveying it all, this otherworldly magic that the music has created. For tonight, ELO is pure joy distilled into notes, and rhythms, and lights — 'we re so pleased to be with you/ look around, see what you do/ everybody smiles at you'. Never have a band s lyrics summed up their own gig so well."
Jess Worsdale (May 8, 2016 - GoldenPlec review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"These songs are blatant and hopelessly romantic — a man in love with the world, a caustic cynic could never write something as enormously big hearted as Mr. Blue Sky. When it bounces into life there is that surge in energy, the tremulous feeling like the tipping point of a raging inferno, people clamber to their feet to hug each other, staring open mouthed with pure unrivalled joy at hearing a classic come to life right in front of them. There on the stage with rolling images of the most summery of skies passing by behind him Lynne becomes a pop David Hockney, a man with sunshine in his pocket that paints over the grey skies of reality. When Jeff Lynne takes you travelling through his sonic solar system it's a journey you wish would never end. "
Jennifer Gannon (May 10, 2016 - State magazine review of May 7, 2016 concert)
"[Lynne] may be a lifelong Birmingham City fan-- the club's crest is projected onto the floor of the stage during the inevitable finale of Mr. Blue Sky-- but Jeff Lynne is far too nice to mention any of it."
Keith Cameron (May 24, 2016 - MOJO review of April Birmingham show)
"The same cannot be said however of Mr Blue Sky. Classic is an overused word but this breezy and uplifting five minutes and six seconds has to be one of the best piece's of pop music this country has ever produced."
Chris Slater (June 23, 2016 - Manchester Evening News review of June 22, 2016 concert)
"But these minor quibbles were forgotten when the pounding bassline of signature tune Mr Blue Sky kicked in. For five glorious minutes, the uplifting classic blew away our concerns about Britain s economy. The song has become an anthem for Birmingham City and a Blues badge was projected on to the stage, which must have pleased the watching Trevor Francis and Jasper Carrott, both friends of Jeff."
Adrian Caffery (June 25, 2016 - Birmingham Mail review of June 24, 2016 concert)
"As Mr Blue Sky makes an appearance, you wonder if the clouds above the Pyramid might take the hint and part, but they stay stubbornly in place. No matter, the communal sing-song that follows is enough to lift anyone s spirits."
Gwilym Mumford (June 26, 2016 - The Guardian review of June 26, 2016 concert)
"Earlier on the main Pyramid stage, Jeff Lynne's ELO, formed in the same year Glastonbury started, had taken the festival's 4 p.m. 'legend slot' amid pouring rain. Their hit Mr Blue Sky seemed a little misplaced."
Jemima Kelly (June 27, 2016 - Reuters review of June 26, 2016 concert)
"A well-attended greatest hits set by Jeff Lynne s ELO at the Pyramid delights in a softer way, with Jeff s thumbs-aloft good humour and songs like Livin Thing and Mr. Blue Sky making up for the unique discomfort of being rained on while sunburnt."
Ian Harrison (June 30, 2016 - MOJO review of June 26, 2016 concert)
"Jeff Lynne's ELO were playing on the Pyramid Stage by the time we'd finally made our way to the music stages, the finest point coming during the overwhelmingly ironic performance of Mr. Blue Sky that still prompted a mass singalong despite it absolutely pissing down."
Jack Davies (July 13, 2016 - Nouse review of June 26, 2016 concert)
"Out of the Blue mega hit Mr. Blue Sky is a playful ode to finding happiness in spite of dreary weather (or circumstances), concluding the set proper in joyful reverie."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"The final run of the night packed the biggest and hardest rocking numbers of all: Turn To Stone and Don't Bring Me Down two of the biggest, before Mr. Blue Sky, all lush and lovely harmonies, wrapped up the main set."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
"When original ELO keyboardist Richard Tandy's robot-synthesized voice saluted Mr. Blue Sky during the jubilant curio of the same name, the crowd might have been Close Encounters of the Third Kind witnesses watching a spaceship land."
Randall Roberts (September 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times review of September 9, 2016 show)
"From a sheer joy standpoint nothing could top the infectious energy of Mr. Blue Sky, just one of the great upbeat pop songs ever penned. The song closed out the main portion of the show..."
Steve Baltin (September 11, 2016 - Forbes review of September 10, 2016 show)
"The band saved many of its best tunes for last, soaring through Turn to Stone, Sweet Talkin Woman and Mr. Blue Sky at the end of the main set."
Jim Harrinton (September 12, 2016 - Mercury News review of September 10, 2016 show)
"The celebratory duo of Don't Bring Me Down and Mr. Blue Sky closed Lynne s set."
Larson Sutton (October 13, 2016 - Relix Media review of September 10, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 5:00
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Jeff Lynne
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals, fire extinguisher), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Roll Over Beethoven (Alone In The Universe Tour 2016)
"With the band going off at end of that song but the house lights staying off also we knew there was at least one encore in the script. That came with an amalgamation of Beethoven s 5th Symphony and Roll Over Beethoven. No matter how good this was, it was not going to beat the Mr Blue Sky moment, so it felt a bit of an anti-climax."
Gary Lambert (April 6, 2016 - GetIntoThis.co.uk review of April 5, 2016 show)
"ELO s cover version of Chuck Berry s Roll Over Beethoven - a 1973 single that's become the classic closing song for their concerts - is set to be used in that exact way, as the ecstatic encore while you are already on a high from Mr. Blue Sky. What better way to end the evening."
David Bentley (April 10, 2016 - Birmingham Mail)
"The set culminated in the ultimate heatwave anthem Mr Blue Sky, before a riotous encore of Chuck Berry s Roll Over Beethoven."
Simon Jenkins (April 11, 2016 - Yorkshire Evening Post review of April 9, 2016 concert)
"The band came back to perform an energetic finale of the traditional ELO showstopper Roll Over Beethoven. "
Martin Hutchinson (April 14, 2016 - Lancashire Telegraph review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"The encore was the song traditionally played at all ELO concerts, Roll Over Beethoven. I suspect it s chosen more because the musicians like to play it than for the audience. Personally I could listen to Mr Blue Sky again, all night long."
Roz Laws (April 16, 2016 - Birmingham Mail review of April 16, 2016 concert)
"And if all that [the string of hits] wasn't enough to send the crowd home on a wave of euphoria, Lynne and his cohorts returned for one encore, a rousing and frenetic Roll Over Beethoven, the Chuck Berry number that ELO reworked in their own inimitable fashion way back in 1973."
Anthony Loman (April 19, 2016 - The Westmorland Gazette review of April 10, 2016 concert)
"That just left the encore — Roll Over Beethoven, complete with an intro of Ludwig s 5th courtesy of the string section. The irony was, of course, that Chuck Berry s original was all about one form of music making way for the next. Lynne, on the other hand, had just proved the enduring power of nostalgia."
Russ Coffey (April 21, 2016 - theartdesk.com review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"As if to spell out exactly what the Electric Light Orchestra does, the encore featured a blast of Beethoven s Fifth followed by Chuck Berry s Roll Over Beethoven: classical music and rock n roll, fused together. Not exactly subtle but, after all these years, it still makes sense after one Cinzano too many. "
Will Hodgkinson (April 21, 2016 - The Times review of April 20, 2016 concert)
"A five minute standing ovation guaranteed that the band would return to the stage which they did with Roll Over Beethoven. "
Claire Lomax (April 22, 2016 - Ilkley Gazette review of April 9, 2016 concert)
"OK, so perhaps Roll Over Beethoven could have been replaced by something else as the encore, but apart from that, it's impeccable."
Jon Falcone (April 29, 2016 - Drowned In Sound review of unidentified 2016 concert)
"He needn't have played another note, but a rocky version of Chuck Berry song, and early ELO hit, Roll Over Beethoven brings the curtain down and leaves everyone in no doubt of Lynne's prominent place on the musical landscape."
Chris Slater (June 23, 2016 - Manchester Evening News review of June 22, 2016 concert)
"[Mr. Blue Sky] would have been a perfect finale but Jeff returned for ELO s traditional encore, putting the Beethoven into his epic version of Chuck Berry song Roll Over Beethoven."
Adrian Caffery (June 25, 2016 - Birmingham Mail review of June 24, 2016 concert)
"You suspect that in some parallel universe the likes of Turn to Stone, Party All Over the World [sic] and the driving boogie of Roll Over Beethoven would prompt mass festival singalongs."
Gwilym Mumford (June 26, 2016 - The Guardian review of June 26, 2016 concert)
"There's only one encore performed. Regular noise curfew restrictions in effect, the band returns to bang out their unique take on Chuck Berry s Roll Over Beethoven while fireworks light up the sky above the venue."
Raymond Flotat (September 10, 2016 - mxdwn.com review of September 9, 2016 show)
"A quick break and the band returned for its encore, Roll Over Beethoven, the Chuck Berry classic with which ELO also had a hit, which opened with the orchestra playing a bit of Ludwig s finest before the band took off and rocked out while synchronized fireworks lit up the night sky. Glorious stuff, all around."
Peter Larsen (September 10, 2016 - The Orange County Register review of September 9, 2016 show)
"When, as an encore, they teamed for Roll Over Beethoven, ELO's mash-up of Chuck Berry and Ludwig van Beethoven, the tussle between the classical past and the rock 'n' roll uprising generated fireworks. Literally. Lynne riffed on Berry's lyrics as Roman candles lit the sky and the masses gazed upward. It was almost like they were expecting liftoff."
Randall Roberts (September 10, 2016 - Los Angeles Times review of September 9, 2016 show)
"[Mr. Blue Sky] closed out the main portion of the show before the band returned for a rollicking cover of Chuck Berry s Roll Over Beethoven and a massive fireworks display."
Steve Baltin (September 11, 2016 - Forbes review of September 10, 2016 show)
"But the real highlights were the mid-period ones that made full use of the strings, then and now, in a tongue-in-cheek fashion — namely... and the Ludwig/Chuck mashup Roll Over Beethoven (at album, not single, length, allowing for the crowd to get its money s worth of the advertised closing fireworks). [...] Lynne occasionally handed over a verse s worth of lead vocals or a lead guitar part to a band member, only stretching out on his own with some unexpectedly extensive soloing to wrap up Beethoven [sic], when he revealed that you can take the boy out of the Move but you can't completely take the moves out of the boy."
Chris Willman (September 11, 2016 - Billboard review of September 2016 Hollwwood Bowl shows)
"Lynne s ELO then returned and, with the added power of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, closed the show with an encore of Roll Over Beethoven as fireworks were shot overhead."
Jim Harrinton (September 12, 2016 - Mercury News review of September 10, 2016 show)
"They encored much like the Attacca Quartet ended its set, with Ludwig van except in this case, amped-up strings played the famed opening lines of the Fifth Symphony, leading into an extended jam on Chuck Berry's Roll Over Beethoven."
Kurt Gottschalk (September 18, 2016 - The Gothamist review of September 16, 2016 show)
"After a group selfie, the show went into sensory overload. Lasers and streams of light flooded the stage and crowd, as twirling white sparklers spun and crackled above the Bowl s fa ade. Flares off fireworks shot into the clear late-summer darkness, while the multitude of musicians rocked an encore of Chuck Berry s Roll Over Beethoven."
Larson Sutton (October 13, 2016 - Relix Media review of September 10, 2016 show)
- Running Time: 6:44
- Record Date: April, May and September, 2016
- Record Location: Europe and USA
- Written By: Chuck Berry
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass, backing vocals), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Milton McDonald (guitar, backing vocals), Mike Stevens (guitar, backing vocals), Bernie Smith (keyboards), Marcus Byrne (keyboards), Donavan Hepburn (drums), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), Iain Hornal (backing vocals), Amy Langley (cello), Jess Cox (cello), Rosie Langley (violin)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
This page is intended to be a complete record of information on the Jeff Lynne's ELO 2016 Alone In The Universe tour. If you notice any errors or omissions (which there are many), please contact me at jefflynnesongs@gmail.com and let me know. I strive for accuracy.
Robert Porter
December 2024