Jeff Lynne de ELO de vuelta...Xtreme Rock Radio Monterrey

ELO Performs First Concert in 28 Years,

Legendary Birmingham musician Jeff Lynne made a triumphant return to the stage for his first full show on UK soil for nearly 30 years.

The famed singer, songwriter and producer was headlining a BBC Radio 2 ‘‘festival in a day’’, which also featured Blondie, Paloma Faith, Chrissie Hynde and Billy Ocean.

Accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra and original ELO pianist Richard Tandy, Jeff opened with the disco-tinged All Over The World and the hits came thick and fast including Livin Thing, Evil Woman and Showdown.

Jeff was still able to hit those high notes and his voice was soft as velvet on slower numbers Strange Magic and Can't Get It Out Of My Head.

A surprise inclusion was the Traveling Wilburys hit Handle With Care which Jeff dedicated to former bandmates Roy Orbison and George Harrison.

Turn To Stone, Don't Bring Me Down and signature tune Mr Blue Sky went down a storm and Jeff seemed overwhelmed at the response to the 80 minute set.

Formed in Birmingham in 1972, the Electric Light Orchestra went on to become one of the most successful bands of the 1970s and 80s with a run of 26 top 40 singles.

After reprising a couple of ELO songs for Children In Need late last year Jeff was flooded with offers for concerts, including a six-night stint at London’s giant O2 Arena.

Talking to the Mail in May, the Hollywood-based 66-year-old said he wouldn’t commit to any live dates, explaining that he’d always prefered working in the studio to playing live.

Shard End-raised Jeff was in Birmingham at the time to receive an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University and a place on the Broad Street Walk of Stars.

"We've been rehearsing for a month. To start with it was like wearing a pair of old boots but after three weeks it felt like a comfortable pair of slippers.

"I'm looking forward to it but I'm nervous because I haven't done it for such a long time. But the thing is the tunes are still intact and I'm gonna play them like I did in the past."

But will fans have to wait another three decades to see him again or will he consider a tour?

Jeff said: "My manager always wants me to go on tour. We've been talking about it. If today goes well and Richard and I really enjoy it I will certainly look at how to do a tour of Britain. I would love it."

And, if so, would a Birmingham show be at the forefront of his thinking?

"It certainly would because they have been very good to me in Birmingham. I had the time of my life there in March," said Jeff.

And that will be music to the ears of his adoring Birmingham public.

The concert is being broadcast on the BBC iPlayer and on its Red Button channel until Friday.

Setlist