Programmes

It’s a living thing: the music of Jeff Lynne's ELO

Full programme

  • Standing in the Rain 
  • Evil Woman 
  • All Over the World 
  • Diary of Horace Wimp 
  • Last Train to London 
  • Sweet Talkin' Woman 
  • Showdown 
  • Telephone Line 
  • Rockaria 
  • Living Thing 
  • Shine a Little Love 
  • Eldorado Suite 
  • Turn to Stone 
  • When I Was a Boy 
  • Wild West Hero 
  • Xanadu 
  • Mr Blue Sky 

Performers

  • Photograph of Richard Balcombe wearing black tie.

    Richard Balcombe

    Conductor

  • Patrick Smyth

    Vocalist

  • Stuart Matthew Price

    Vocalist
  • Photograph of the CBSO Chorus in the choir stalls of Symphony Hall.

    CBSO Chorus

Introduction

Formed in 1970, right here in Birmingham, the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) is a band that blends pop music with classical influences. Jeff Lynne, its creator and driving force, added strings, horns and woodwind to the standard rock lineup, aiming to “pick up where the Beatles left off…”

In the 13 years following their debut, ELO sold over 50 million records worldwide, achieved 27 Top 40 songs in the UK singles chart and 15 in the US charts. In the summer of 2016, they performed at the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2017. Jeff Lynne, inducted into the 2023 Songwriters Hall of Fame, continues to lead ELO (Jeff Lynne’s ELO). Lynne recently announced the band’s final show will be at Hyde Park on July 13 2025.

GRB Concerts produced tonight’s concert with ELO’s unique sound in mind, expanding it with a treatment that incorporates a full symphony orchestra, band, choir and six singers to replicate the iconic wall of
vocal sound.

It is always thrilling to return to Symphony Hall and to perform with the world class City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. We cannot wait to be joined tonight by the might of the CBSO Chorus too.

Our concert pays homage to Jeff Lynne’s ELO catalogue of classic chart hits - not re-imagined, but like you have never heard them before!

What better time and place to celebrate the work of Birmingham’s very own Jeff Lynne?

Richard Balcombe & Graham Bickley
GRB Concerts