Presiding over one of classic rock’s most beloved catalogues, Jeff Lynne’s victory lap could very well take him to the farthest reaches of our solar system and back.
Fortunately for his longtime fans across the DMV, it brought him to the nation’s capital this past week for what was an unforgettable farewell performance by the project called Jeff Lynne’s ELO.
Giddy concert goers of all ages filed into Capital One Arena in downtown DC to enjoy a long list of Electric Light Orchestra favorites and a truly magnificent night of rock and roll led by the 76-year-old English superstar.
At Capital One Arena on Sept. 25, ticketholders awed at the stage, where the iconic tri-colored ELO spaceship — seen on the cover of numerous albums — stood as an enormous fabrication beaming light, concealing speakers and framing a large circular view screen. With the classical tinge of every note, eye-popping visuals flashed in vivid color and at rocket speed to make for a wildly kaleidoscopic presentation from start to finish.
Listen to the latest album from Jeff Lynne’s ELO, 2019’s Out of Nowhere, via Spotify:
It was one of 27 dates scheduled on the two-month endeavor dubbed “The Over and Out Tour” as Lynne and a talented group of musicians have been playing gigs coast to coast as a sign of gratitude for support across his 60-year career.
While he’s known mostly for his incredible ride with ELO, Lynne was also a member of the famous Traveling Wilburys with Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, George Harrison, and Roy Orbison.
Rolling with such a remarkable list of legends put him in rare company then, and his marvelous resume makes Lynne a hero today, as many modern musicians — and even filmmakers — are directly or indirectly influenced by him or projects he touched.
Lynne thanked those on hand at Capital One Arena last Wednesday night as he and his friends presented hits from as far back as ELO’s self-titled 1971 premier and as recent as 2019’s Out of Nowhere, opening with its title track.
Attendees heard classics like “Evil Woman” — from the fifth ELO album, Face the Music — dramatized to suspenseful effect thanks to the skilled crew of musicians on stage.
But just about any hit was enhanced for this festive live presentation.
Fans were treated a terrific selection of them, including an epic “Rockaria!,” from the 1976 masterpiece A New World Record, and a dazzling “Turn To Stone,” the first song on 1977’s essential Out of the Blue. Lynne squeezed every heart in the massive venue with the pleading words to “Telephone Line,” a track essentially re-popularized by its use in the 1995 comedy Billy Madison.
Revisit ELO’s 1976 album, A New World Record, via Spotify:
Though he’ll soon be done with touring, Lynne proved that his voice still acts as the special ingredient within these magical arrangements, others of which have been used for Hollywood flicks and TV series, essentially embedding ELO into American culture and growing further admiration and appreciation for its music.
With world-class instrumentalists and supporting vocalists on either side of him, Lynne and this final version of ELO showed they’re one to remember.
He was joined in DC by Milton McDonald (lead guitar), Mike Stevens (rhythm guitar), Lee Pomeroy (bass), Donovan Hepburn (drums), Jo Webb (keys, acoustic guitar), Marcus Byrne (keys, piano), Shannon Harris (keys), Jessie Murphy (violin), Jess Cox (cello), Amy Langley (cello), Melanie Lewis-McDonald (backing vocals), and Iain Hornal (backing vocals, guitar).
Each player got a warm introduction, yet Lynne was praised by Stevens as “the whole reason we’re all here tonight — he’s written, he’s produced, he’s played, he’s done it all.”
Lynne’s adieu is bittersweet for so many, but the spectacular evening in Washington was an affirmation of his musical genius and a celebration of songs that should live on for generations.
Setlist
One More Time
Evil Woman
Do Ya
Showdown
Believe Me Now>
Steppin’ Out
Last Train to London
Rockaria!
10538 Overture
Strange Magic
Sweet Talkin’ Woman
Can’t Get It Out Of My Head
Fire on High
Livin’ Thing
Telephone Line
All Over the World
Turn to Stone
Shine a Little Love
Don’t Bring Me Down
Encore
Mr. Blue Sky
Here are some photos of Jeff Lynne’s ELO performing at Capital One Arena on Sept. 25, 2024. All pictures by Craig Hunter Ross (thank you Live Nation and Craig)!
