What Electric Light Orchestra played at their last-ever show as Jeff Lynne cancels BST Hyde Park performance

A cancellation of the second Co-Op Live Arena show and BST Hyde Park farewell show brought a premature end to the Over and Out tour.

While fans are gutted Electric Light Orchestra could not fulfil their touring obligations, well wishes for frontman Jeff Lynne, who cancelled the remaining two shows for medical reasons, those who did see the three UK dates were full of praise for the songwriter. The Evil Woman and Mr. Blue Sky hitmaker pulled out of the final two Over and Out dates in Manchester and London, with the latter gig cancelled just days before it was set to go ahead. Those who attended the second Co-Op Live Arena show were told just minutes before the performance was meant to begin that the night’s entertainment had been cancelled.

A statement from BST Hyde Park reads: “Jeff Lynne is heartbroken to report that he will not be able to perform at tomorrow’s BST Hyde Park show. Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time nor will he be able to reschedule.

“The legacy of the band and his longtime fans are foremost in Jeff’s mind today – and while he is so sorry that he cannot perform, he knows that he must focus on his health and rehabilitation at this time.”

While it looks unlikely Lynne will return to the stage, fans have praised the 77-year-old performer for giving it his all in the three shows he was able to complete. Lynne told the crowd at his Birmingham kick-off show he had been involved in a taxi crash and broke his hand.

Attendees of the final show, which took place in Manchester, noted Lynne looked a little worse for wear after the double bill of Birmingham shows. It marks the final performance Lynne has given, and will likely remain that way. BST Hyde Park has confirmed the ELO performance will not be rescheduled, and refunds have been issued to ticketholders.

Lynne was set to perform at BST Hyde Park on a bill featuring The Doobie Brothers and Dhani Harrison, son of The Beatles and Traveling Wilburys member, George Harrison. A full setlist for what ELO performed in Manchester can be found below.

• One More Time
• Evil Woman
• Do Ya
• Showdown
• Last Train to London
• Believe Me Now
• Steppin’ Out
• Rockaria!
• 10538 Overture
• Strange Magic
• Sweet Talkin’ Woman
• Handle With Care (Traveling Wilburys cover with Dhani Harrison)
• End of the Line (Traveling Wilburys cover with Dhani Harrison)
• 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
• Mr. Blue Sky

Fans have since called for Lynne to receive a knighthood for his contributions to music. Cult Following previously reported the Change.org petition, which has received hundreds of signatures at the time of writing.