Jeff Lynne’s ELO were forced to cancel their second show at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Wednesday night (10th July 2025), just moments before the performance was due to begin, leaving thousands of fans disappointed.

The sold-out concert was part of the band’s farewell “Over and Out” tour, and the announcement came just as attendees were arriving and preparing for the support act, Dhani Harrison — the son of late Beatles legend George Harrison — to take the stage.

Last-Minute Announcement Due to Illness
A statement shared via Jeff Lynne’s ELO’s official social media channels read:

“Unfortunately, due to illness, tonight’s (Thursday 10th July 2025) 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.”

Farewell Tour Nears Its End
The cancelled Manchester show was set to be the penultimate date of Jeff Lynne’s final tour, which is scheduled to conclude on Sunday (13th July) with what was expected to be the band’s last-ever live performance at BST Hyde Park in London. As of now, it remains unclear whether the London finale will still take place.

The tour began earlier this month with two emotional homecoming shows in Birmingham at the Utilita Arena on 5th and 6th July. Despite a broken left hand, Jeff Lynne delivered those performances without playing the guitar, telling the crowd:

“I’ve had a guitar in my hand all my life but not tonight… Nothing would keep me away from you.”

Concerns Over Jeff Lynne’s Health
The 76-year-old music legend managed to complete the first of his two scheduled Manchester shows on Tuesday (9th July), but fans observed that the performance ended abruptly. There was no encore, and Lynne remained seated during the final three songs: Shine a Little Love, Don’t Bring Me Down, and Mr. Blue Sky.

After the set concluded, a frail-looking Jeff was seen being assisted off stage and did not join the band for the customary final bow—raising concerns about his condition.

One concertgoer reflected on the experience:

“So, so sad to see our Jeff in such obvious ill health. If he can get through tonight and the finale on Sunday then great, but no true fan would complain if he calls it a day right now.
Thank you, Jeff, for giving me over 45 years of loving you and your awesome band.”

Everyone at Planet Rock and across the music world is wishing Jeff Lynne a full and speedy recovery.