Jeff Lynne’s ELO cancelled their Thursday night performance at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena with just minutes’ notice, leaving thousands of fans devastated after they had already packed the venue.
The cancellation was announced at approximately 8:10pm, mere moments before the band was scheduled to take the stage, with ticketholders informed the show would not proceed due to illness.
“Unfortunately due to illness, tonight’s scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-op Live will not be going ahead. Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening,” the band announced on X, formerly Twitter.
Fans were asked to leave the venue at 8:15pm, with many having waited since December for the concert.
Jeff Lynne had to cancel the gig at the last minute
GETTY
The last-minute nature of the cancellation sparked outrage amongst concert-goers, with many complaining about the timing and financial implications.
“Jeff Lynne’s ELO cancelling 12 MINUTES before they’re due on stage. That’s tragic,” one fan posted on social media.
Another ticketholder claimed fans were being told to leave shortly afterwards, writing: “THEY CANCELLED ELO TONIGHT BECAUSE JEFF IS ILL????? YOU CANT MAKE THIS UP WE’RE ALL BEING BOOTED OUT.”
Concerns quickly emerged about compensation for travel and accommodation expenses, with one social media post claiming a couple had spent over £1,000 to travel from Ireland for the show.
The ELO put out a statement on Thursday evening
X
“Hoping people get compensated for Jeff Lynne ELO tonight,” another fan commented. “There’s being unwell and then there’s cancelling 15 minutes due before coming on. People will have hotels booked, transport. Drinks, merchandise.”
The 77-year-old’s health had visibly deteriorated during Wednesday’s performance, raising concerns amongst fans who witnessed his struggles on stage.
A fan who attended Wednesday’s gig exclusively told The Mirror: “At the start of the set he came on and couldn’t play the guitar because he has injured his hand. He sounded shaky to begin with but his singing and energy picked up and was great until the last 10 minutes of the show.”
“A chair was brought onto the stage and he had to sit down to sing the last few songs, he appeared to be unsteady on his feet at the end and was helped off the stage by staff. He really wasn’t well, it was obvious to fans at the gig he wasn’t himself and it is sad to see.”
Lynne’s recent health troubles include a hand injury sustained in a London taxi accident, which has prevented him from playing guitar during his farewell tour performances.
“I was in London and a taxi dashed off from where he was coming from and smashed my hand. It really hurt at the time. That’s why I haven’t got a guitar – I normally would have,” the Birmingham music legend explained during Wednesday’s show.
Jeff Lynne cancelled the gig ‘due to ilness’
PA
The injury has forced the ELO frontman to perform without his instrument since Saturday, a significant departure for the musician who has been synonymous with his guitar throughout his decades-long career.
The combination of the hand injury and his visible deterioration during Wednesday’s performance had already prompted concern amongst fans before Thursday’s sudden cancellation.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO fans were left devastated
Uncertainty now surrounds the band’s final farewell show scheduled for Sunday at London’s Hyde Park, with no confirmation whether the performance will proceed as planned.
The band’s statement promised that “more information will become available as soon as possible,” whilst directing fans to their point of purchase for refunds.
Some fans expressed frustration about the lack of earlier communication, with one commenting: “I read comments that he didn’t look well last night. If they called it. Why couldn’t his team? But hey, got some drinks and merchandise sales out of us!”
The Over and Out tour was meant to mark ELO’s farewell to live performances, making the potential cancellation of Sunday’s Hyde Park show particularly poignant for fans hoping to see the legendary band one final time.