Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) has recently made a significant announcement, revealing plans for their final gig which is scheduled to take place at London’s Hyde Park next summer. The iconic British rock band, known for their chart-topping hits such as “Mr Blue Sky” and “Don’t Bring Me Down,” is currently in the midst of their farewell tour in the United States, signalling an impending retirement from the music scene.
The forthcoming Hyde Park concert is being labelled as a “final goodbye” from the band, with tickets slated to be released for sale on Friday. ELO, formed in Birmingham in 1970 by Jeff Lynne and keyboardist Roy Wood, underwent changes over the years, with Richard Tandy replacing Wood after his departure in 1972. The band initially disbanded in 1986 but made a comeback in 2014 with Lynne as the sole remaining core member.
Tandy, a key member of ELO, unfortunately passed away earlier this year at the age of 76. Reflecting on the significance of Hyde Park, Lynne expressed, “My return to touring began at Hyde Park in 2014. It seems like the perfect place to do our final show. We couldn’t be more excited to share this special night in London with our UK fans. As the song goes, ‘we’re gonna do it One More Time!'”
The highly anticipated gig will be part of the annual British Summer Time (BST) festival, a multi-week event held each summer in west London. ELO joins a prestigious line-up of artists who have graced the BST stage in recent years, following the footsteps of music legends like Stevie Nicks, Elton John, and Bruce Springsteen.
Jim King, the chief executive of European festivals at AEG Presents, expressed his admiration for ELO and their enduring legacy, stating, “Jeff Lynne’s ELO are loved the world over. The live shows are nothing short of extraordinary and a testament to the incredible catalogue of hits we’ve enjoyed for over 50 years.” King also highlighted the sentimental value of hosting ELO’s final performance at BST Hyde Park, three decades after their inaugural festival appearance at the same venue.
Fans can mark their calendars for Sunday, 13 July 2025, when ELO will take the stage at BST Hyde Park. Tickets for this historic event will go on sale starting at 9 am on Friday, 25th October. It is bound to be a memorable night for both the band and their dedicated followers.
As the music world eagerly anticipates this grand finale from ELO, the countdown begins for what promises to be an unforgettable musical extravaganza at London’s iconic Hyde Park.