With support from Harry Styles and Bruce Springsteen and performances lined up from the likes of Olivia Rodrigo and Liam Gallagher, there’s been a hell of a lot of hype around Manchester’s sparkly new Co-op Live arena. The £365 million, 23,500 capacity venue is set to be the largest indoor arena in the country.
The Co-op Live was supposed to open last week, but things didn’t go according to plan. Comedian Peter Kay was meant to christen the venue with gigs on Tuesday April 23 and Wednesday April 24 – but those performances have been postponed not once but twice. They’re now (hopefully) happening on May 23 and 24.
My apologies once again but unfortunately the Co-op Live still isn’t ready and so, as yet, remains untested for a large-scale audience. Consequently, they are having to reschedule my two shows yet again (I know I can’t believe it either).
— Peter Kay (@peterkay_co_uk) April 26, 2024
Read the full statement below. pic.twitter.com/QgiIdiNVlu
Following Peter Kay’s postponement, the Co-op Live was supposed to open in time for shows from Boogie Wit Da Hoodie on May 1 and Olivia Rodrigo on May 3 and 4. As of today (May 2), however, those gigs have all been postponed.
What’s with the hold up? Well, back on April 20 the venue ran a test event, featuring Rick Astley, for 5,000 members of the public but had to cancel a number of tickets just a few hours before doors opened.
In a statement the Co-op Live said that it was down to issues with its power supply, which is fully electric. In another statement announcing the second reschedule, it said that postponement will ‘give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.'
It added: 'This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.’
Adding to the chaos, Gary Roden, the arena’s general manager, quit his role on Thursday (April 25). His resignation comes after he met backlash for a comment in a BBC interview about small venues being ‘poorly run’. It led to the Co-op Live releasing another statement that said it did not agree with his sentiment and that ‘Co-op Live remains committed to grassroots music in Manchester and beyond’.
An interim GM has been appointed and Co-op Live thanked Roden for ‘his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans’.
Further mayhem has ensued this week. A Boogie wit da Hoodie’s show was called off due to issues during soundcheck, while Rodrigo has said that ‘on-going venue-related technical issues’ are the reason behind her two shows being called off. All gigs are apparently currently in the process of being rearranged.
As for when the Co-op Live will actually open? That’s still up in the air. UK noughties rock band Keane are scheduled to play on Sunday May 5, and that show hasn’t been cancelled... yet.
Love live music
Ahead of Co-op Live’s official opening, check out these 17 existing music venues that have been declared the best in the country by people who have actually played them. For gigs happening in London, take a browse through our music hub and if you love small venues, read about why grassroots nightlife needs saving.
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