The Orchestra Band – “Blue Skies Forever Tour”
Bergen Performing Arts Center – Englewood, NJ – 9/12/2025
Review & Photos – Rebecca Wolf
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On September 12th a crowd of devoted Electric Light Orchestra fans filed into Bergen Performing Arts Center for The Orchestra’s “Blue Skies Forever Tour.” The Orchestra is a group of former members of the Electric Light Orchestra and ELO Part II. They carry on the legacy of the incredible ELO, formed in Birmingham, England in 1970 and known for being the first band to mix rock with orchestral instruments to incorporate a classical sound. While the next sixteen years brought frequent changes in the band members, it wasn’t until 1986 when ELO officially disbanded. Several members wanted to keep the band and the music alive and formed ELO Part II, which ultimately become The Orchestra. Violinist Mik Kaminski, who joined ELO in 1973 has been the only remaining member of the original ELO performing with The Orchestra since the 2021 death of ELO’s conductor and arranger, Louis Clark. However, earlier this year Kaminski became ill and hasn’t returned to the stage.
With no former members of ELO currently performing with The Orchestra, the question stands (particularly for some online commenters and music “purists”), how should this band bill themselves? Who are they? What are they? I believe those questions are connected to who attends their performances and why they’re attending. Audiences attending The Orchestra shows are truly Electric Light Orchestra fans who are thrilled to hear the band’s music performed live. Electric Light Orchestra will unfortunately never perform again. However, hearing their powerfully rich, dynamic, orchestral sound, performed by skilled musicians and vocalists, can be invigorating and memory-provoking. Celebrating these iconic songs live helps to keep the music and spirit of ELO alive. And, for some ELO fans, the enthusiasm for The Orchestra is magnified when there’s some “connection” to the original ELO, even if it’s two or three degrees removed, as this increases the tie to the past, even if it’s a loose one.
This enthusiasm was evident at Bergen PAC on the night of September 12th, as audience members awaited the start of the performance in high spirits but immediately quieted as the houselights dimmed for the evening’s opener. Seth Witcher is a young singer-songwriter from Allentown, PA whose music is a unique blend of Americana, blues and indie rock, poetic, emotionally-charged lyrics, and heartfelt soulful vocals. Standing on the stage, acoustic guitar in hand, and opening the set with a cover of the iconic “Hallelujah,” Witcher immediately drew the crowd in with his sweet, melodic voice. However, it was quickly evident that singing beautiful covers wasn’t Witcher’s only area of strength. Continuing with “Ferris Wheel” from his recently released EP I Wish You Were Here, Witcher not only displayed his beautiful vocals but his deep, touching lyrics. If this number wasn’t heart-grabbing enough, Witcher continued on, sharing with the audience, “When I wrote the next song I was bawling my eyes out. I’m glad my girlfriend isn’t here now because I’d be bawling.” Listening to the incredibly personal “Nothing Matters” was like hearing an excerpt from Witcher’s diary…. vulnerability and all. You could hear the raw emotions in each and every note and Witcher’s authenticity clearly touched the crowd. “I have one more song for you,” Witcher announced to the crowd, moving from a song that was personal to him, to a one that evokes feelings globally. “If you know this song sing it with me… if you’re not feeling shy.” As Witcher performed John Lennon’s “Imagine,” the audience joined in for this beloved, poetic number.
With Witcher’s departure there was a brief moment of calmness on the stage and in the crowd before The Orchestra arrived with a burst of energy and a splash of color. Fiery, psychedelic lights illuminated the stage backdrop as the band’s seven musicians, including Eric Troyer (vocals, keyboards), Glen Burtnik (vocals, bass), Louis Clark Jr. (symphonic keyboards, cello), Gordon Townsend (drums), Cliff Hillis (vocals, guitar), August Zadra (vocals, guitar) and Susan Aquila (violin), began performing the ELO classic “Evil Woman.” As Burtnik sang lead vocals from centerstage, the audience instantly was energized and began to joyfully sing along.
Over the next two hours the band performed ELO’s most beloved hits, as Burtnik, Troyer and Hillis traded off on lead vocals, each one displaying strong, melodic vocal abilities. These transitions were accompanied by continuous changes to the video images rotating, flashing patterns and dramatic colors illuminating the towering backdrop. As band members moved about the stage duos and trios formed to passionately jam together, bringing electricity to the stage and in turn to the audience.
Even with the dynamic energy and with skilled musicians and vocalists, no band can recreate the magic or duplicate the sound of an ELO performance, especially without Jeff Lynne’s unique presence. If anyone expects that, they are setting themselves up for unnecessary disappointed. However, if one goes in with the excitement of being immersed in a live performance of ELO’s music, where you can sing and even dance along with fellow ELO enthusiasts, there would be joyous appreciation of the musicianship, the electrifying performance and the band’s ability to recreate the spirit of ELO’s classics. What a great celebration of the ELO legacy and a must-see for long-time fans.
Set List:
Evil Woman
Sweet Talkin’ Woman
Can’t Get It Out Of My Head
All Over The World
Showdown
Strange Magic
Xanadu
The Diary of Horace Wimp
Turn to Stone
Fire on High
Livin’ Thing
Ma Ma Ma Belle
Last Train to London
Shine a Little Love
Telephone Line
Standin’ In the Rain
Mr. Blue Sky
Do Ya
Roll Over Beethoven
Don’t Bring Me Down
