Who
Electric Light Orchestra
Support
The Feeling
Where
Birmingham Genting Arena
When
17th April 2016
Price
£90.00
Who with
No-one
Position
Seated, towards the left
Comments
And here I was thinking that the ELO Experience was the closest I'd get to the real thing, not realising that a little over 18 months later I'd be watching the actual Jeff Lynne with a reformed Electric Light Orchestra! And I am billing this gig by the ELO name because, as far as I'm concerned, Jeff is ELO! This was advertised as the Alone In The Universe tour, so clearly Jeff was sticking with the famous space theme which the band are most loved for, as much like Daft Punk it seems that one memorable image of the group has proven so definitive it overshadows all else. In fact Jeff had played Hyde Park in summer 2014 and I struggle to think why I didn't try to go. I suspect that the show was poorly advertised and by the time I heard about it it had all sold out, but inevitably Jeff Lynne has the clout to sell out shows with next to no advertising, and his absence from live performance seems to have greatly increased the clamour to watch him play. One day I must buy the live DVD of Hyde Park. This time though I rushed to get a ticket, finding it impossible to get in the stalls, with my interest piqued further by the fact that this was to be a homecoming show. In the end I paid a whopping £90 for a seat very far to the left, although it was intriguing as it was so far forwards. This was almost certainly the second highest I'd ever paid to watch a band, behind those money grabbing Rolling Stones, whose exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London I was boycotting due to its extortionate price and Nazi no photography policy. The downside was that this was to be an all seated concert at a large and soulless venue, but I wasn't going to miss out on what for all I know could be my only chance to see him live, although if he does play an outdoor show later it will be deeply frustrating and negate this experience.

This was my first show in four months, and unusually 2016 was the first year since 2008 where I wouldn't be paying a visit to Hyde Park, as the line-up was piss-poor and there was nothing of even the remotest interest to me. A lot had changed in my life, including the fact I'd left my job and was enjoying some time out, this show following a trip to Stuttgart and preceding an exploration of Cyprus. I do wonder sometimes how anyone can manage a 40 hour work week when there are so many other things to do. I always find myself fighting to make the most of every second of free time, and am utterly baffled how people can ever claim to be bored, or be depraved enough to wish to work longer than a 5 day week. I couldn't find the time to hear much ELO to prepare, and as I write this I struggle to contemplate returning to work, knowing a 3 day week is more than enough for me, but sadly that a 5 day week salary is required for me to exist happily. In fact this show was just 24 hours after I watched Derren Brown doing his brilliant thing at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. I fear every time I see him he gets a little less dramatic and edgy, but I do often ponder if I should write reviews for other things I do, such as theatre shows or even nights and meals out or trips to the cinema. If I had unlimited time on my hands I'd love to do that, as although it's a real pain to feel I have to document everything that qualifies as a "gig", I'm acutely aware that everything I don't document is largely forgotten. Perhaps that's why I'm so keen on photos, as they provide an alternate means of remembering all the stuff I do!

As it was a Sunday I only had one train every two hours, so I set out in the early afternoon. I was going through the process of watching all the James Bond films, which is precisely the kind of time-consuming activity that can only be done when free from a job! I headed straight to Birmingham International and once I got my bearings I found my way to my hotel. In the event I discovered that there were trains that probably would have got me home - strangely enough it seemed more convenient on Sunday nights - but I had little confidence in getting back from the far side of Brum, and decided that staying over was the best bet. It was a nice hotel, with a large room including a quite unnecessary red leather sofa, but the walk there was across the outskirts of the NEC, which can quite accurately be described as an unimpressive industrial estate. I had a shower and unpacked, making the most of the room, and on balance I think I was impressed enough to not regret booking the same hotel for Noel Gallagher (with SFA) in just 12 days time. Feeling refreshed I headed out to investigate Resorts World, which was a much-hyped new addition to the NEC complex. I must say though that I wasn't impressed, as the imposing exterior and lakeside location was just a front for a typically bland shopping centre, with overpriced restaurants that couldn't cope with the volumes of people visiting. Frustratingly I couldn't get a table at Las Iguanas, and there seemed to be queues everywhere else, and I just didn't have the patience. The flaw with these places is that they are almost always a rip-off, whereas a genuine city centre environment will not only have a sense of history, but also a free market where bargain restaurants for smart people nestle amongst the rip-off establishments.

I was slightly tempted by the World Bar, but felt that after paying so much money for my ticket that I shouldn't do anything to dumb my senses and experience of the event. I went back to the Wetherspoons in the NEC, struggled to get a table and then joined the queue, before getting itchy feet and deciding I didn't want to be ripped off there either. Wetherspoons used to offer rare quality at a sensible price, but I've observed that their airport/special branches have mutated into not only rip-off places, but their poor value for money is compounded by a deeply inferior food menu with an abysmal lack of choice. I must give kudos to Boots, as they're one of the few places worth visiting at all times, as they offer their brilliant meal deal prices at even the most exclusive locations. Hopefully they will continue to do this, as if they get greedy they may well find themselves scratching their heads wondering why customers have started to boycott them! Also the Subway in the NEC was charging inflated prices, but I'd observed that the branch at the train station itself seemed to be charging correctly, so I returned there. This was a very smart move as I felt I was clawing back some of the enormous outlay on the ticket and hotel, and I enjoyed a genuinely delicious chicken and bacon wrap for under £8, with a cookie thrown in for good measure. By contrast most people who'd stuck with Resorts World will have chucked away an extra £20 each and have nothing to show for it except less memory of the show thanks to a couple of unnecessary drinks. The fact that my meal was fresh and filled me up put a bit of smugness in my step, and I also took advantage of being in the vicinity by popping back to my hotel. Although another shower, play on the internet and change of clothes wasn't strictly necessary, I felt I should indulge myself and enjoy what I'd paid for, and I am pleased to report that I rarely enter a show feeling so refreshed and clear-headed!

I now wandered towards the Genting Arena, which is the renamed NEC Arena and seems to have had a pleasant makeover to become a moderately imposing structure. I'd emptied my pockets so I wouldn't be hassled on the search, and as it was a seated concert I felt confident that I could survive without a bottle of water. It was a really pleasant day with a warm evening sun showing all the complex in its best possible light, and I'd even cast aside my winter coat in favour of a thinner model. There was one guy outside selling t-shirts but I never saw how much they were going for, and unusually the vicinity was free from ticket touts. The doors had opened at 5pm and the arena itself at 6pm, but I'd timed my arrival for the support band, and although there was a bit of a queue it moved fairly swiftly. There was no hassle with the search, and I never got to find out if they were arbitrarily confiscating water. I'd taken my camera in too and there was no hassle whatsoever taking pics. Although I was on edge after my horrible experience with the Nazi cunts at the NIA, in this case the stewards genuinely seemed there to help, showing me to my seat, and one of them even applauding ELO. Either luck was on my side, or the penny had dropped that after the money we'd all paid we should be treated like kings and given a pleasant night in a positive atmosphere. In fact compared to the rip-off Resorts World the food in the arena was almost reasonably priced, including £8 for fish and chips. The punters were buying it in droves, ensuring a decent meal for them and higher profits for the venue, so a positive result for everyone! However, I had very little problem resisting the £15 programmes and £25 t-shirts. The entrance area was dark and very busy, and I had no flashbacks to my previous experience here seeing the Stereophonics in 1999, which was perhaps the most soulless and disappointing show I've ever attended, and an experience that turned me against arenas for life. Although the O2 Arena proves that they're not all bad, given a choice I'd always select to be standing outside in the fresh air on some grass!

To access my block I had to walk all the way around the arena to the left, and was pleasantly surprised to find that my seat was comfortable with impressive legroom, although it was higher above the stage than I'd expected. I was so far to the left that it was pretty much sideways-on to the stage, but given the cavernous depths of the room I think on balance that I was in a relatively good position, which beat being far at the back like at the Stereophonics debacle. In fact the block to my left was empty, which is a shame as those seats should have been advertised as restricted viewing and sold for a knock-down price. Although I was so far to the left that I couldn't even tell if there was a sidescreen on the other side, I assume that there was, and that it also was projecting an ELO UFO logo the same as on our side. Although it was an unusual place to sit, I had to admit that it was an intriguing vantage point. However, the arena is ultimately just too darned big, and in an ideal world I wouldn't have to experience it. The room was already reasonably full and the crowd seemed to be older as you'd expect, although not in an embarrassing grandparent kind of way. The guy to my left was drinking some very smelly wine out of a plastic cup, and I'd been surprised to read that The Feeling were to be tonight's support band. They're a very cheesy choice, but to be honest I struggle to imagine who would be an ideal fit, as Electric Light Orchestra have always been quite unique. The Feeling are the kind of band I'd had imagined would have faded away and quietly split up, and it does seem that they haven't troubled either the album or single charts since 2008. The arena had the same infuriating haze that had afflicted Nottingham Arena for The Killers, but luckily once the lights went down for the 7:30pm start it cut through all of this, as The Feeling took to the stage.

I have to give general credit first of all that the sound quality in the venue was excellent throughout, but so it bloody should be at this price! Also Jeff Lynne is known as a sonic perfectionist, and they'd already had last night's show to work through any bugs, but it's very pleasing that there were no issues on this count. Also my ears weren't whistling afterwards, so something must have been right! The Feeling started with I Thought It Was Over, which I read was their final top 10 hit, then they launched into Fill My Little World followed by Never Be Lonely. It was a ludicrous beginning as they'd seemingly blown all their biggest hits at the start! They encouraged us to chant to Never Be Lonely as the singer told of his recurring nightmare that one day he'll try that and the crowd will be completely silent. It's an amusing thought, but luckily for them it's never happened! I'm surprised to read that Sewn was a #7 hit as I don't remember it, and was almost pleased when they finished it off with Love It When You Call, as I hadn't expected to recognise four hits. I'd anticipated Never Be Lonely to be the best they had to offer, so was pleasantly surprised to discover that Love It When You Call was the highlight, and that they'd pulled off the classic Franz Ferdinand trick of seemingly blowing all of their best songs at the start, but holding things back we'd forgotten all about. I felt that The Feeling played to the very peak of their abilities, but ultimately I have to say that they're not for me. Their music and personality are just too camp, and not in the positive way that the Pet Shop Boys are, but in a somewhat punchably and whiny way. Despite their relatively good show I just couldn't shake that dislike, as admitting enjoyment to this would almost feel like a stepping stone to condoning similar crimes of their time such as James Blunt. They spoke positively about ELO and how proud they were to be supporting, and got us to chant for our headliners. Unusually they pulled this off in a way that wasn't shameless or tiresome, which is a rare ability. I never could have imagined The Feeling being this tolerable, and given how low my expectations were this is the highest compliment I can pay them! I even applauded a bit. Although not quite the complete turnaround from shite to genius that The Streets had pulled off at Reading 2006, this had been a pleasant surprise!

The Feeling departed the stage and a guy was up in the rafters setting stuff up. The start time was advertised as 8:45pm, and I think ELO took to the stage 10 mins or so after that. As the lights went down I anticipated something exciting involving the UFO so I shot a long video, and was a little disappointed as it remained plunged in darkness until Jeff took to the stage and a spotlight appeared on him, before the video screen behind him kicked in. There was a bit of an orchestral introduction before the band kicked off with Tightrope, and I was pleased with the sound quality both onstage and in my video. I recognised the song vaguely and now learn that I had a live version of it, but I must say I was slightly disappointed with the UFO, which was pretty much just two circular lighting rigs at angles to each other, which may have lit up nicely from time to time but didn't move to create the impression of the band being beamed down from space, but being purely a nod to their illustrious past. However I must admit that my unusual side view could have lost some of the effect, as for example there was a curtain in front of the stage for the start, which was supposed to be a big reveal but didn't quite work from our perspective to the side of the curtain! However the flipside was that from my vantage point I could see the otherwise-invisible swirly patterns beamed onto the floor, so it wasn't all bad, and it was a genuinely interesting experience to witness a show from such an unusual position - almost like backstage! Jeff then launched straight into the classics with Evil Woman, as I shot a video capturing the red lighting and some impressive clapping along. It's an utterly fantastic song and one of my holy trinity of ELO classics alongside Wild West Hero and Telephone Line, although I held little hope I'd get to hear all three tonight. I must say too that Jeff looked fantastic and youthful, retaining his excellent hair, iconic appearance and quite unnecessary indoor sunglasses.

Also his vocals were excellent and band superbly professional, although debatably the show lost a little edge as it was so perfect. I feel that his voice was a bit smoother and songs slightly slower than they'd originally been recorded, and a clear choice had been made that this was to be a pitch perfect production rather than a proper rock 'n' roll show. Although I can understand the logic of this, perhaps including a couple of moments where the band truly let rip and turned ragged would have made the gig a little more exciting, but maybe a seated arena gig inevitably prevents true excitement no matter what a band attempts? Next up was Showdown before All Over The World, as I shot another video, which featured an inevitable global backdrop, with fireworks going off all over the world, much as you'd expect! Next up was When I Was A Boy, which is a truly lovely new song, and along with Ain't It A Drag represented the new ELO album, although I can't shake Boy's resemblance with Can't Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley. There was very little banter, and as the show was generally a perfect take on the hits, I'm afraid there's little detail I can add. I did look down to the stalls and wonder how people had got those seats, as although I'd been very quick off the mark I hadn't had a look in. Had they all been sold via some secret underground means? I shot a little video of the introduction of Livin' Thing, but bizarrely my camera then claimed to be full, even though plenty of space remained for photos, of which I took a few although most sadly turned out a bit blurred. Can't Get It Out Of My Head was a pleasant quiet moment and Rockaria! was a strong attempt to balance the lushest possible music with a bit of good rocking out. I was absolutely shocked by 10538 Overture, which was the ELO's debut single, immediately recognising it as The Changingman by Paul Weller. In fact Weller sampled this, which is a shocking revelation to discover that one of his truly wonderful solo moments is undermined by the reality it wasn't all his work. Bizarrely the woman to my right left the crowd partway through and never came back, and I do always struggle to comprehend what possible circumstance can justify that. When I'm in a standing gig I often am incensed by fans randomly leaving during big hits, and wonder what drove them here in the first place. In my view nothing is important enough to leave a gig, unless a most urgent need for a toilet break creeps up on you, but even that can be easily mitigated by planning ahead and not drinking much of anything, which is my strategy!

I recognised Steppin' Out from Out Of The Blue, which is the only ELO album I have access to. Although I'm a fan I can't claim to be a "true fan" as perhaps some people could do, as I've always felt that ELO are very much a greatest hits band and never felt much temptation to delve deeper into their back catalogue. I patted myself on the back when I purchased their secondary greatest hits album Ticket To The Moon, but was quite happy to leave it there. Shine A Little Love was good although this was one moment where the ELO Experience had upstaged the real thing, as Jeff didn't make the most of the whoops in the chorus. Also I felt that the tribute band had made a better stab at Showdown. The crowd tonight were very enthusiastic and appreciative but never crossed the line into genuine craziness, making for a good but relatively cultured show. Jeff kicked off the band introduction with a shout-out to Richard Tandy on keyboards, who was the guy that contributed the classic vocoder moments. Jeff then claimed that if it wasn't for the fact that it was his band he probably wouldn't be allowed in, which was a nice thing to say about the musicianship of his group but is hard to imagine! The rest of the group introduction duties were then handed over to a guitarist, and after looking into it I find that Bev Bevan is the missing piece of the puzzle, as he's the third guy who'd been with ELO for much of their career, and his absence is a mystery to me. It looks like he's healthy enough to still perform, so what on earth could he be doing more important than rejoining Jeff? However, Jeff is very much the mastermind behind it all, so as long as he is present and correct to be honest little else matters! Next up was the highlight of the show, as Jeff launched into Wild West Hero!! The crowd were entranced, and I was delighted as I hadn't expected him to play it. It appears to have been reintroduced into their setlist for this tour, so perhaps I wasn't the only fan who was dismayed by its absence. Although ELO have a strong back catalogue, they also are in a position where they have time to play all their very best hits, no excuses. I felt that Jeff had listened to his audiences and wished to deliver what we wanted to hear, and I was very happy that he did, and it's a lesson that others should learn!

Also if I'd had seen them at Hyde Park - where they didn't play it - then I learned that they'd played it this night I'd had deeply regretted missing out, so Wild West Hero was the moment that gave this show a special status, rather than it being a poor man's runner up prize to the gig I'd missed out on. Also we got to hear Shine A Little Love which Hyde Park didn't, and the only notable things we missed out on that Hyde Park got was Strange Magic, which would have been nice but I can live without it, and more annoyingly we didn't get to enjoy Rock 'N' Roll Is King. I was even happier when the holy trinity was completed with Telephone Line. It was utterly beautiful and went down a storm, and also took the pressure off ELO as they'd now delivered all the moments I was desperate to hear, and I had no doubt that the remaining hits wouldn't be skipped. Although Turn To Stone is a pleasant enough song, I was a bit miffed when the crowd stood up after sitting down for the superior Telephone Line, although the fast bit in the middle was delivered strongly as hoped for. For me it was utterly trounced by Don't Bring Me Down, and we certainly were in the business end of the show now, although I could have slapped the guy to the left of me who chose this song to sit down. This is the best uptempo ELO song by a million miles as far as I'm concerned, and it was amusing when the crowd made to sit down after Stone, before rising to their feet upon hearing that the hits were still coming. Just as bizarrely the section to our right then chose to stand up for Sweet Talkin' Woman, after not deigning Don't Bring Me Down as good enough - utterly batshit crazy! I was expecting some kind of comedown so was pleased to hear Mr Blue Sky dispatched, and with relatively little fuss. It's a good song but certainly isn't the masterpiece that overshadows everything else as some people seem to think (and as the reception to the ELO Experience had indicated). I let myself be distracted by an urge to shoot a video, resorting to my phone camera, but I couldn't zoom in so the video footage reflected my true distance from the stage, although the sound quality came across very strongly.

The band left the stage and I was thrilled that Mr Blue Sky hadn't been placed on a pedestal, just delivered as one of many good songs on the night, and part of a rich tapestry of hits. ELO took a bow, before posing for an onstage photo that made it onto Facebook, which I captured the taking of. This pic also revealed that there were 13 band members, or perhaps 14 if the photographer was also a member of the group. The couple to my right made for the exit, and shame on them as the curfew was the very early 10:30pm and the band seemed on course to finish then as advertised. Although a couple more songs would have been nice, Electric Light Orchestra launched straight into Roll Over Beethoven with its classical introduction. Although I don't love it as it lacks the special status of being written by the band, it's probably the definitive take on the hit. Everyone screamed for more but the lights came up, and to be fair after 100 minutes of pop perfection had whizzed by it would have been rude to demand more. It was incredibly easy to get out via the fire escape and the walk to the train station was hilariously simple, although frustrating as barring extreme overcrowding it meant that I could have simply got the train back and saved a lot of cash on the hotel. I caught the monotrain over to the airport looking for food, being disappointed that the pubs were already closed. I know that it's a Sunday, but it's also an airport! Luckily though I did find a Spar, and thanks to the wonder of fixed price products with the cost stamped on them I found a delicious bag of chocolates and carton of Ribena amongst the rip-off prices. I overheard someone praising the venue, and although they'd made the best of it, inevitably an enormodome can only disappoint, so I felt that was a bit excessive, although this had been a lot better than being plopped at the back for a shit and passionless performance by the Stereophonics!

I walked back via the station and saw the huge queue for the car parking machine, thinking what a horribly expensive and frustrating way to travel that must be. Although I am now a driver, I intensely dislike driving, and struggle to see how anyone can enjoy something so unpleasant, when it means you can't even enjoy a drink and have to stay alert. I resisted the urge to stop off at the hotel bar, thinking it was now 11pm and I should write up some notes, doing so on paper rather than using the heavy laptop I'd transported here just for that purpose. Perhaps a drink would have been nice, but the NEC Wetherspoons had closed early, and time was getting on. In the end I didn't sleep great so woke up later than hoped for. I came back, stopping off at the shops in Wolves, observing that Star Wars The Force Awakens had just been released on DVD and already reduced to an impressive £7. Most impressive! My phone had died as I'd forgotten to bring a charger, and it's a shame that after years of travelling I still can make such silly mistakes. The setlist hadn't quite been perfect, but thanks to the inclusion of Wild West Hero it was better than I'd hoped for. I'd had particularly loved to hear Rock 'N' Roll Is King, so I'm a little miffed to note that they do play it sometimes. Also it would have been nice to hear The Diary Of Horace Wimp, although without the Lego video used by The ELO Experience it would have been anticlimactic. Also Confusion and Four Little Diamonds are wonderful songs, but the fact I didn't come away miffed at their absence means this can be forgiven. Similarly Strange Magic would have been nice, but The ELO Experience had also delivered it perfectly. Due to my love of outdoor shows of course I'd see Electric Light Orchestra if they did play Hyde Park or somewhere similar. However, if they were to do that and live up to this setlist it would be hugely frustrating and would negate the benefit of attending this night. Therefore, as wonderful as this had been, in the nicest possible way I hope that they don't tour again, and that Jeff chooses to enjoy a happy retirement! Wonderful stuff, and a great name to cross off my list!
Setlist (The Feeling)
I Thought It Was Over
Fill My Little World
Never Be Lonely
Rosé
Wicked Heart
Sewn
Join With Us
Love It When You Call
Setlist (Electric Light Orchestra)
Tightrope
Evil Woman
Showdown
All Over The World
When I Was A Boy
Livin' Thing
Ain't It A Drag
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Rockaria!
10538 Overture
Secret Messages
Steppin' Out
Shine A Little Love
Wild West Hero
Telephone Line
Turn To Stone
Don't Bring Me Down
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Mr Blue Sky
Roll Over Beethoven

Mark: 9.0/10