LEEDS Arena is only one of eight venues in the UK to host Jeff Lynne’s ELO tour, his first for over two decades, and it is no surprise therefore that it was completely full to capacity recently when the band performed hits from both the new Alone in the Universe album and also many of the 28 hit singles, over half of which were top ten hits, that Jeff had recorded during the seventies and eighties.

Prior to Jeff and his band taking the stage we were treated to half an hour of hit songs from The Feeling, who thrilled the audience with Fill My Little World, Never be Lonely, Love It When You Call and Set My World On Fire. Then, after a very short break Jeff and his band took to the stage and regaled us with Evil Woman, Showdown and All Over The World.

A big fan of the Beatles, Jeff’s music draws heavily on their influence, no more so than in his recent hit single, When I Was A Boy, from the new album Alone in the Universe, which was very reminiscent of the Beatle’s Free As A Bird, which he produced in 1994 along with the late George Harrison. It's descending piano line, the floating minor seventh in the chorus, the solid, heavy drumming all made it sound as if one was listening to the Fab Four.

Living Thing followed and then another song from the new album, Ain’t It A Drag. Back to the late 70s for Can’t Get It Out Of My Head and Rockaria and then the final song from the new album – When Night Comes. After that it was all 70s and 80s hits – Secret Messages, Steppin’ Out, Shine A Little Love, Wild West Hero, Telephone Line, Turn To Stone, Don’t Bring Me Down and Sweet Talking Woman.

To finish the show they had reserved the best until last, a perfect rendition of Mr Blue Sky which if they were not already on their feet by this time had all the rest of the audience up there and clapping along. A five minute standing ovation guaranteed that the band would return to the stage which they did with Roll Over Beethoven.

I thought the band were excellent. As well as lead, bass and rhythm guitarists there was a string trio, which came in handy for those signature, elaborate orchestrations which songs like Sweet Talkin' Woman and Living Thing just wouldn't be the same without. Likewise his singers were superb, particularly Melanie Lewis-McDonald in Rockaria with her soaring soprano voice. Also, keeping everything so tight with his drumming and percussion was Donavan Hepburn who has also played with Take That, Gary Barlow and Olly Murs. Finally, I cannot close without mentioning both Richard Tandy and Mike Stevens. Richard was superb on keyboards and synthesiser and Mike, guitarist, vocalist and musical director for this tour (and previously the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert and the Take That tours), has drawn on all his previous experience to make this a fantastic event.

A great night for the public who had travelled from all over West and North Yorkshire. Who said rock and roll is dead!