Disappointed fans were turned away at the doors of Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena on 10 July 2025, when Jeff Lynne’s ELO pulled the plug on their show just moments before it was set to begin. The 77-year-old rock legend’s sudden illness forced the band to make the tough call, leaving thousands of concert-goers gutted, as reported by The Sun.

The Manchester gig was meant to be a highlight of ELO’s “Over and Out” farewell tour, which kicked off earlier this month and is scheduled to wrap up with a massive show at London’s Hyde Park on 13 July. Despite recently breaking his left hand, Lynne had powered through the tour, performing a 22-song set in Birmingham without picking up a guitar.

Social media erupted with frustrated fans sharing their experiences, many learning about the cancellation just 15 minutes before the doors were supposed to open. The last-minute announcement has fuelled speculation over whether the Hyde Park finale will go ahead as planned.

While the cancellation has been a blow for fans, Lynne has no plans to walk away from music altogether. After the tour wraps, he says he’s looking forward to spending more time in the studio. As he told Ultimate Classic Rock, “This is not a farewell to music. I am excited to return to the studio full-time, which is what I love!”

As fans anxiously await updates on Lynne’s condition and the fate of the Hyde Park show, the situation is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of live music tours, particularly when ageing icons are still giving it their all on stage.