Manchester City Council confirmed the return of the iconic event – which spreads festive cheer right across the city centre, and draws in visitors from all across the globe each year – exclusively to Hits Radio Manchester this evening.
According to Hits Radio Manchester, the full plans are still being finalised, but it has been revealed that the markets will open to the public from Friday 12 November – Wednesday 22 December 2021.
Markets will be set up on nine different sites across the city.
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The ice rink will be back on Cathedral Gardens in late October, and a new Winter Wonderland is being created in Piccadilly Gardens too, with the being fountain covered over especially.
Speaking on the return of the markets this year, Councillor Pat Karney – Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesperson – said: “I’m really really excited. It’s incredibly important that Manchester’s Christmas economy has this boost because tens of thousands of jobs are dependent on Manchester having a great Christmas.
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“People will just want to get together in a safe way. We’ll make sure that it’s safe – and just enjoy being human again and enjoying Christmas.
“It’s very important for all the young people in the city that they have a Christmas to remember.
“The pictures that we’ve had of Albert Square over the years where people have been standing on top of each other – that’s a million miles from what we’ll be doing this year.
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“Each site will have very very clear entry and exit arrangements so that we don’t take any public health issues with crowds.”
Councillor Karney also teased what the plans are for the Christmas Lights Switch On.
He told Hits Radio Manchester that plans are still under review as council teams check with government advice on crowd numbers and COVID passes.
“The government keeps changing it’s mind on COVID passports and crowds, and we haven’t come to a separate decision on a big switch-on and a New Year celebration – but we’ll come back to that in a couple of weeks.”
Featured Image – Geograph (David Dixon)
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A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig to AO Arena following Co-op Live cancellation
Danny Jones
Rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has confirmed that his cancelled Co-op Live gig has now been moved to Manchester’s AO Arena this weekend.
After suddenly being lined up as the venue’s first official gig after the postponement of both Peter Kay and The Black Keys, the American hip-hop artists’ show ended up going the same as the others previously scheduled for the new arena and being pulled at the last minute.
With guests being turned away from the still-yet-to-open Co-op Live Arena just hours before the show was set to start, and Olivia Rodrigo fans being given the same unfortunate news ahead of her gig this Saturday, ABWDH has taken matters into his own hands.
Announcing the rescheduling of his concert on X, the 28-year-old artist confirmed that Wednesday night’s gig has now been relocated to Co-op’s main rival, the AO Arena.
Set to take place on Saturday, the artist – which just so happens to be his first name (yes, seriously) – had a simple message for his fans: “We won’t give up that easy, let’s go!”.
Nevertheless, it hasn’t stopped the venue – which is set to become the UK’s biggest indoor entertainment venue and one of the largest in Europe when it finally does open – from announcing more events over the coming months and well into 2025.
Confirming the show on their social pages, the AO simply promised, “It’s going to be a brilliant night and we can’t wait to see you all here.”
The AO Arena has hosted some of the biggest names in the entire world in the course of its existence and recently underwent a £50m refurbishment that included the launch of The Mezz.
Safe to say this presents an interesting twist in events when so many people have been pitting the two venues against one another.
Question marks have been hanging over whether more upcoming gigs, like Keane on Sunday 5 May, and then a five-night run of gigs from Take That will still be able to go ahead.
It remains to be seen whether other artists will follow suit in moving their shows should more cancellations/postponements be announced.
You can recap everything that’s happened so far down below:
Co-op Live recap – cancelled shows, rescheduled dates, and more from chaotic opening night
Daisy Jackson
The opening night at Co-op Livewas marred by ‘a venue-related technical issue’ (something fell from the ceiling), triggering further delays to the huge new Manchester arena and even more rescheduled shows.
The ground-breaking new arena, which will be the largest indoor venue in the UK when it actually opens, has once again had to postpone its official launch.
In a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday 1 May, fans who were already queueing outside Co-op Live were told the A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie concert had been cancelled.
Then followed further postponed gigs, with the venue also pulling the plug on Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS tour which was meant to visit Manchester on Friday and Saturday.
The Co-op Live has already rescheduled Peter Kay twice, as well as The Black Keys – and now more future gigs are being pushed back.
And now the question on everyone’s lips is whether Take That, Keane, or other huge shows will go ahead as planned.
It all happened pretty quickly last night, so here’s an essential recap of all the drama.
Which Co-op Live shows have been postponed or cancelled so far?
So far, the 23,500-capacity venue has had to reschedule or indefinitely postpone eight different events.
These have included Peter Kay, who was lined up to perform two gigs, which have now been moved twice.
The only event that has gone ahead so far has been a test event with Rick Astley, and even that saw thousands of tickets cancelled at the last minute to safely reduce capacity inside (we were one of the lucky few to go, and it does look amazing inside).
Then there was obviously the last-minute drama when A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was cancelled while fans were already outside Co-op Live, and then pop star Olivia Rodrigo having TWO gigs rescheduled.
Here’s the full list:
Peter Kay – original dates 23 and 24 April. Rescheduled dates 29 and 30 April. NEW DATES 23 and 24 May.
The Black Keys – original date 27 April. New date 15 May 2024.
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie – original date 1 May. New date to be confirmed.
Olivia Rodrigo – original dates 3 and 4 May. New dates to be confirmed.
What’s on next at the Co-op Live arena?
Take That is still scheduled to go ahead at Co-op Live after some other shows were cancelled.
Despite these high-profile cancellations, the Co-op Live still has plenty of incredible shows lined up in the coming weeks.
Notably, Take That have essentially planned a residency that will see them take over the huge venue for SEVEN nights.
At the time of writing, the following shows will still be going ahead this month. Fingers crossed everyone…
Keane – 5 May
Take That – 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 May, then 11 and 12 June.
Elbow – 14 May
The Black Keys – 15 May (rescheduled from 27 April)
Eric Clapton – 18 May
Barry Manilow – 19 May
Peter Kay – 23 and 24 May (rescheduled from 23 and 24 April)
Nicki Minaj – 25 and 30 May
Eagles – 31 May, then 1, 4, 7 and 8 June
Olivia Rodrigo statement and updates
Olivia Rodrigo has had her Co-op Live gigs rescheduled. Credit: Nick Walker
Olivia Rodrigo is arguably the most high-profile music event to be postponed at Co-op Live so far, with the pop sensation due to perform two sold-out shows.
It’s all part of her GUTS world tour and was meant to visit Manchester on 3 and 4 May.
Although her two shows this week have definitely been postponed, Co-op Live have yet to announce new dates.
In a statement, she sad: “I’ve been having such a great time in Europe so far and I’m sooooo disappointed that we’re unable to perform in Manchester due to on-going venue-related technical issues.
“We’re doing our best to reschedule the show. you can hold onto your tickets for further info or request a refund at your point of purchase. More info will be sent directly to ticket holders.
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“I’m so bummed and I really hope to see you all soon.”
Why has the Co-op Live opening been postponed again?
Co-op Live’s initial delay was caused by ‘power supply issues’ and they postponed several shows to test emergency services communications.
It’s believed that the issue with the HVAC system was an isolated incident ’caused by a factory defect’.
Co-op Live said: “We were not able to verify that all similar nozzles were free of such defects.
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“In conjunction with wider stakeholders, Oak View Group has made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue, and to postpone the performance.”
What Co-op Live have said about the delays
As A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s gig was cancelled, Co-op Live said: “Due to a venue-related technical issue, tonight’s A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show will no longer go ahead. We kindly ask fans to leave the area. Tickets holders will receive further information in due course. We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”
On Olivia Rodrigo, a statement released said: “Due to an on-going venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed. Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase. We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”
And as for the future of the venue’s opening schedule, they said: “We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows. We are working with artist management and promoters to limit the impact on the opening season schedule.
“Where necessary, we will identify alternate dates, and will continually reassess to provide fans with sufficient notice regarding imminent shows.
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“Should shows be cancelled or rescheduled, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund where preferred.”
Co-op Live should announced details of rescheduled dates in due course.