ELO fans were left disappointed after the band’s concert at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena was called off just minutes before they were due to take to the stage
Jeff Lynne delivered a disheartening health update to fans in Manchester just hours before ELO’s concert was abruptly cancelled. ELO enthusiasts were ejected from Manchester’s Co-op Live arena after the gig was called off mere minutes before the band were set to begin.
Thousands of ticket holders were left disheartened when they were notified that tonight’s performance would not be proceeding. A fan who attended Wednesday night’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.”
Jeff took to X to announce that the show had been cancelled “due to illness” and that he was “devastated” he could not perform. “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.
“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase.”
Fans quickly expressed their disappointment on social media, with one lamenting: “Tonight’s ELO concert cancelled at 8.10 pm. Jeff Lynne too ill. Devastated. Hope he’s ok. Had tickets since December.
“THEY CANCELLED ELO TONIGHT BECAUSE JEFF IS ILL? ? ? ? ? YOU CANT MAKE THIS UP WE’RE ALL BEING BOOTED OUT,” another fan vented.
“Jeff Lynne’s ELO cancelling 12 MINUTES before they’re due on stage. That’s tragic,” a third posted.
The band had performed the first night of their Manchester stint the previous evening, during which Jeff disclosed that he had injured his hand in London. “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,” he shared.
Ticket holders for the Over and Out tour claimed they were notified just minutes before the band was set to take the stage that the performance would not be proceeding.
Questions were raised about how fans could be reimbursed for their expenses, having also booked travel and accommodation. One social media post alleged that a couple had shelled out over £1,000 to travel from Ireland for the gig.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
