Jeff Lynne’s ELO Dazzles Atlanta After Nearly A 40-year Absence

Photos by Hillery Terenzi/Words by Navin Johnson

On Friday July 6^th, 70’s mega hit maker Jeff Lynne brought his current version of ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) to State Farm Arena. Playing to a sold out crowd, the show represented the first time ELO Mothership landed in our fair city since 1981. The 20 song career spanning set includes such hits as “Don’t Bring Me Down”, “Evil Woman”, “Rockaria!” a toned down version of “Xanadu” , “Mr. Blue Sky”. As a mid set bonus the band played an emotional cover of The Traveling Wilburys hit “Handle with Care” being particularly poignant as Lynne was accompanied by Dhani Harrison filling in the spot that was occupied by his father George Harrison. Video of the Wilburys played in the background reminding us that save for Lynne and Bob Dylan, the remaining Traveling Wilburys (Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, George Harrison) are no longer with us.

ELO’s green laser light show was rendered ever more spectacular owing to technological advances that did not exist in the 70’s. Before the band ended their show, they came out to the end of the stage and took a selfie with entire audience in the background which they posted on their Instagram. The encore paid homage to both Beethoven and Chuck Berry. The string section began with Symphony No. 5 before launching into Chuck Berry’s classic “Roll Over Beethoven”.

SETLIST

Standin’ in the Rain

(Electric Light Orchestra cover)

Evil Woman

(Electric Light Orchestra cover)

All Over the World

(Electric Light Orchestra cover)

Showdown

(Electric Light Orchestra cover)

Do Ya

(The Move cover)

When I Was a Boy