Feel the Love with ELO

Classic rock band Electric Light Orchestra, led by Phil Bates, will perform two concerts at Emperors Palace, on February 13 and 14.

The programme will feature all the Classic original ELO chart toppers, including Rock ‘n Roll is King, Hold on Tight, Roll Over Beethoven, Evil Woman, All Over the World, Don’t Bring Me Down and Sweet Talking Woman

ELO has accumulated a staggering 27 Top 40 hit singles in both the UK and the US, with 20 Top 20 UK singles and 15 Top 20 US singles.

The songs are firm pop favourites and have seen much success for the band.

Bates was a member of the original ELO and led ELO Part 2 from 1993 to 1999, after Jeff Lynne left the band.

The English rocker also played with notable bands Trickster and Quill.

Bates re-formed the Electric Light Orchestra in 2011, and has been touring around the world with this unique concert.

“I am excited to tour South Africa again,” he said from his home in Berlin.

“I love the songs I performed with ELO and I’m enjoying touring Europe, and now South Africa, with these songs that have everyone singing along”.

The music of ELO has been a firm favourite with South African fans since the band originally formed in the 1970s.

The band sees Bates where he is best – behind the microphone, while playing his legendary style of guitar.

ELO’s distinctive sound is a combination of pop/rock fused with a string section of violins.

For the South African tour, local string sensation The Muses became a perfect fit and will perform with the band.

Gauteng-based The Muses recently released their new album, Pop on Strings 2, fusing the sounds of two violins, a viola and a cello.

The Muses are violinists Ashley Bodill and Mia Snyman, viola player Kate Moore and cellist Laetitia van Wyk.

They have performed at prestigious events, including the recent Africa Fashion Awards.