Jeff Lynne’s ELO is getting a lot of backlash from fans after canceling their show at Co-Op Live in Manchester just minutes before it was supposed to start. The band announced on X that the show was called off because of illness.
In a statement, they said, “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 that he cannot perform this evening. More information will become available as soon as possible.”
Fans were very upset because many had already traveled long distances, booked hotels, and even bought merchandise at the venue. Some said it was unfair to wait until the last hour to cancel. One person posted, “Hope Jeff is okay, but an absolute disgrace waiting until an hour left to cancel on us. Some of us travelled for hours.” Another said, “Shouldn’t let fans get seated, buy merch, then announce the show’s cancelled. People flew miles, booked hotels — the lot! Badly handled.”
Some international fans who came from places like the USA, South Africa, and across Europe said they felt scammed. One fan wrote, “They’ve spent 24 hours thinking about how to act so they wouldn’t have to return the money. The damage is enormous.”
This cancellation is another blow for Jeff Lynne, who is 77 and already dealing with health problems on what’s being called his farewell “Over and Out” tour. Recently, he’s been performing with a broken left hand from a taxi accident, meaning he could only sing while the band handled the instruments. Fans also noticed he seemed tired on stage and sometimes skipped taking a bow at the end of shows.
The Manchester concert was supposed to be one of the last on the tour. Many fans were disappointed because it might have been their final chance to see Jeff Lynne perform live. The band said they’ll share more information about possible new dates or refunds soon.
https://x.com/JeffLynnesELO/status/1943398243854962895
