Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra Announces 2020 Dates

Published on January 24, 2020

Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra spent over 30 years away from touring. The famed producer and Traveling Wilburys member has produced hits such as “Mr. Blue Sky,” “Telephone Line,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” and “Livin’ Thing.” Over the last year or two, Lynne returned to the stage to play his hits to ecstatic crowds. 

ELO

Lynne is Electric Light Orchestra. He’s the mastermind behind the band. Now, he tours as “Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra,” which gives him the credit he deserves. Plus, there’s been a lawsuit or two over the band’s names as concert promoters and old members of the group attempted to use the band’s name for their own financial gain. With Lynne’s name in the title, all confusion is gone and more people know the name Jeff Lynne. 

Why He Went Away

Lynne was never comfortable performing on stage for an audience. Whenever he performed live in his prime, he always found his mind wandering back to the studio, thinking of another song or the work he could be doing. The singer could never just be in the moment during a show, so he quit touring for over 30 years. During those years, he built himself an illustrious career. 

Lynne produced and co-wrote some Tom Petty classics, played with Petty and fellow icons in The Traveling Wilburys, and released solid solo albums. That doesn’t even begin to cover his expansive career, but Lynne has left a big footprint on the world of classic rock. Since he didn’t tour for all those years, his voice is still beautiful and soft like it was earlier on in his career. Lynne was never a rock star into drinking and drugs, too, so he’s aged gracefully all around. The voice fans hear on tour is so close to what they hear on ELO’s albums. 

The Rise of ELO

Around 20 years ago, Lynne tried to hit the road again to tour. Sadly, tickets weren’t selling. They were selling so low tour dates were canceled and Lynne became discouraged. However, in the years since there’s been such a groundswell of love for Electric Light Orchestra. Lynne himself has acknowledged the renaissance, partially brought on by how many films have played his radio-friendly hits. Most famously, ELO songs were used in Boogie Nights and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.  There’s a timeless joy to Lynne’s music that’s proven to be very cinematic on film. It’s feel-good music that Lynne still sings beautifully. Based on the tours and last ELO album he put out in 2019, he hasn’t lost any of his mastery. 

European Tour Dates 

Since Lynne has spent so much time away from playing live, it’s shocking he’s still touring and announcing new dates. Obviously, the concert is generating lots of cash, but more importantly, Lynne can now enjoy himself on stage. He’s now getting the credit and reception he deserves. Since Lynne never toured every year playing his classic songs, it feels more special hearing and feeling them with a crowd for the first time. It’s a great experience. For anyone interested, here are the new Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra tour dates for 2020: 

Sep 19: Oslo Telenor Arena, Norway

Sep 21: Stockholm, Ericsson Globe Arena, Sweden

Sep 23: Herning Jyske Bank Boxen, Denmark

Sep 26: Hamburg Barclaycard Arena, Germany

Sep 27: Berlin Mercedes-Benz Arena, Germany

Sep 30: Munich Olympiahalle, Germany

Oct 02: Amsterdam Ziggo Drome, Netherlands

Oct 05: London The O2, UK  

Oct 06: London The O2, UK

Oct 11: Birmingham Arena, UK

Oct 16: Manchester Arena, UK

Oct 18: Belfast SSE Arena, UK

Oct 19: Dublin 3Arena, Ireland

Oct 21: Glasgow The SSE Hydro, UK

Jack Giroux is a Staff Writer at Grit Daily. Based in Los Angeles, he is an entertainment journalist who's previously written for Thrillist, Slash Film, Film School Rejects, and The Film Stage.

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