ELO Encounter prove Rock ‘n’ Roll is King

Posted on 3rd March 2025

Having made the short trip up from Essex to Diss, Colchester based ELO Encounter were rewarded by a warm welcome from an enthusiastic capacity audience at the Corn Hall, keen to hear the music of Jeff Lynne’s Electric Light Orchestra played live. There was a palpable sense of excitement as the band took to the stage, all of them handsomely dressed in white as they launched into Standin’ in the Rain. Accompanied by a striking light show and back projection it was clear from the start that this was an outfit determined to put on a show.

It took a little while to get used to Jack Rownes sitting in for Jeff at the keyboards, but there was no denying that he handled Lynne’s deceptively tricky vocal range with great aplomb. Elsewhere on stage the other members of the band creating a sense of scale and drama with their unfussy but accomplished musicianship. All the hits (well most of them) were served up during the evening –  Don’t Bring Me Down, Strange Magic, Rock ‘n’ Roll Is King and Women both Evil and Sweet Talking were finely rendered. Wild West Hero prompted a costume change by way of cowboy hats, while the Diary of Horace Wimp showcased the band at its most ambitious.

It was a shame that some of the visuals – not least the charming film that accompanied Horace – were all but obscured by an enthusiastic smoke machine, but this is a minor quibble. Far more encouraging was the band’s willingness to explore the back catalogue. Last time I heard these tunes played live it was at Glastonbury watching the real thing but Jeff steered clear of the likes of Jungle or Confusion. That said, no prizes for guessing how they rounded off the evening, with Mr Blue Sky sending a clapping, singing, hand waving audience happily away into the night.