Jeff Lynne Didn’t Let a Broken Hand Stop His Final ELO Performances
Jeff Lynne‘s ELO kicked off the final leg of their “Over and Out” tour in Lynne’s hometown of Birmingham, UK, on July 5, 2025. But while the tour, which is slated to be the band’s final, will run for only five more dates, culminating in a July 13 show in London’s Hyde Park, the famous singer, songwriter, producer and mult-instrumentalist won’t have an easy send off — he broke his hand in a car accident shortly before the show.
Lynne told the crowd that “I’ve had a guitar in my hand all my life but not tonight.” Lynne explained that a taxi he was riding in slammed on the brakes, an accident that injured Lynne’s hand shortly before the crucial show. However, that did not stop him from being front and center at the sold-out Over and Out farewell tour. Lynne continued, “Nothing would keep me away from you.” Though he looked a little naked without a guitar in his hand, he did fill in with some air guitar and his signature thumbs up.
Though Lynne’s injury was a nasty surprise, he has some exciting ones in store for the audience, as well. He tweaked the song set list a bit from the US version of the tour to include a couple of songs performed with opening act Dhani Harrison — Beatle George Harrison’s son. The pair performed songs from the Traveling Wilburys, the supergroup that included Lynne, Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison, including “Handle With Care” and “End of the Line.”
The full Birmingham setlist:
One More Time
Evil Woman
Do Ya
Showdown
Last Train to London
Steppin’ Out
Rockaria!
10538 Overture
Strange Magic
Sweet Talkin’ Woman
Handle With Care
End of the Line
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
Many fans who have been eagerly waiting to see him were elated despite Lynne’s injury. Read some of their reactions from Facebook:
“I watched videos from both nights. Absolutely brilliant concerts. And to all you fans who have been at those two concerts in Birmingham. You experience Jeff Lynne like no other fan has. Just singing his amazing music with no guitar. Jeff did do some air guitar though. We wish Jeff Lynne a quick recovery. Thank for still going on with the show!”
“Great show as always, I’ve played Jeff’s music since the sixties.
Nice touch with Dhani singing his dad’s part in the two Wilbury’s songs.”
“Thanking Jeff for a marvellous concert regardless of a painful hand injury. Wishing a speedy recovery. Ps loved the air guitar! Xx”
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Jeff Lynne’s ELO have two more shows in Manchester on July 9 and 10, with the final show taking place in London’s Hyde Park on July 13th, featuring a cavalcade of musicians including the Doobie Brothers, Steve Winwood and Dhani Harrison. Tickets have long been sold out for the event.
ELO was founded in Birmingham in 1970 by Lynne and keyboardist Roy Wood, but the band disbanded in 1986 and was reformed as Jeff Lynne’s ELO in 2014. Other members have also gone on to reform under the moniker ELO2 of The Orchestra.
We are excited to hear what fun surprises may be in store for the final show! If you happen to go, let us know in the comments!
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