As Black Sabbath Takes the Spotlight, ELO Bids a Poignant Farewell in Birmingham

While most eyes in Birmingham may be turned toward Black Sabbath’s thunderous farewell this weekend, another chapter in the city’s rock-and-roll legacy is quietly coming to a close. Jeff Lynne, the mastermind behind the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), will take the stage at the Utilita Arena for the final time in Birmingham, offering fans a bittersweet goodbye as the band wraps up its farewell tour.

Lynne, who hails from the Shard End area of Birmingham, co-founded ELO in 1970 with fellow musician Roy Wood. With its genre-blending orchestral rock sound and a catalogue of hits like Mr. Blue Sky and Evil Woman, ELO quickly became one of the UK’s most innovative and beloved bands.

The tour, which concludes with a high-profile performance in London’s Hyde Park, marks what Lynne has described as ELO’s "final goodbye." And while Black Sabbath’s explosive send-off may grab the headlines, ELO’s departure is no less significant to the generations of fans who grew up with their anthems.

For fans like Ann Gumery from Solihull, attending ELO’s final Birmingham performance is more than just a night out it’s a moment of musical history. “When I saw it was their last tour, you've got to go, haven't you?” she said. 

Attending with her husband, Gumery expects the night to be filled with emotion. “There may be a few tears,” she admitted, adding that the simultaneous farewell of both bands makes for “a crazy” weekend in the city.

The overlapping farewell concerts have created a once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere in Birmingham, celebrating the city’s incredible contribution to global music. From heavy metal pioneers like Black Sabbath to symphonic rock legends like ELO, Birmingham’s influence on the sound of the 20th century is undeniable.

As both bands bow out, fans across the city will be united by gratitude for the memories, the music, and the magic these local legends have shared with the world.