Ian Gavan/Getty ImagesELO wrapped up a triumphant five-date American tour Sunday night at New York’s Radio City Music Hall with a hit-filled setlist, stunning visuals and lots of lasers.
Billed as Jeff Lynne’s ELO, the group recreated its radio hits “Turn to Stone,” “Evil Woman” and “Telephone Line” with exact precision at the second of two sold-out New York City shows. In fact, Lynne and band — which included original ELO keyboard player Richard Tandy and nine additional musicians — never deviated from the original versions during the 18-song, 90-minute set of classics.
Lynne barely said a word outside of band introductions, acknowledging Tandy as being with him the longest and referring to him as “my pal.” Musical director and guitarist Mike Stevens — clearly enjoying his time on stage — praised the audience for supporting the group’s return for the American run; they’d previously performed at a much smaller New York venue last fall.
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.” Other than that, it was non-stop hits, as well as deep cuts like “Rockaria” and “10538 Overture.” Images of spaceships, flying meteors and a big bright red eye for “Evil Woman” added spectacular visuals to the band’s sound. 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.”
The quiet moments were equally effective: Lynne donned an acoustic guitar for “Can’t Get It Out of My Head” and “Telephone Line,” setting a dreamlike tone, before a stretch that included “Sweet Talkin’ Woman,” a thumping version of “Don’t Bring Me Down” and a finale of ELO’s famous cover of Chuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven.”
The Alone in the Universe Tour will return to the U.K. for two dates at Wembley Stadium in 2017.
Here’s the setlist:
“Tightrope”
“Evil Woman”
“Showdown”
“All Over the World”
“Livin’ Thing”
“When I Was a Boy”
“Rockaria!”
“10538 Overture”
“Secret Messages”
“Can’t Get It Out of My Head”
“Shine a Little Love”
“Wild West Hero”
“Telephone Line”
“Turn to Stone”
“Sweet Talkin’ Woman”
“Don’t Bring Me Down”
“Mr. Blue Sky”
Encore:
“Roll Over Beethoven”
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