One of Manchester’s best-loved music venues has finally confirmed when it’ll be reopening after a prolonged closure.
After quietly – and somewhat mysteriously – shutting up shop due what were cited as “unforeseen circumstances” back in the spring, Gorilla has finally taken to social media last night to confirm when it will be reopening its doors to the public, and has revealed how it plans to properly welcome back Manchester music fans.
The intimate music space and bar on Whitworth Street had originally said back in April of this year that it would only be “temporarily closed”, which left many to assume it would just be back open after that weekend – but sadly, that wasn’t quite the case.
Forfeiture notices appeared in the windows of the venue a couple of weeks later, and the countless gigs that were scheduled to be held there kept getting moved to alternative similar-sized venues around the city centre.
Since then, several months passed with no formal word of reopening.
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Until back in June, that is, when the venue confirmed that it will be reopening, but fans would just have to sit tight for a bit longer, as the space was having some “essential building work” done by its landlord.
And now finally, after six long months, Gorilla took to its official social media platforms tonight to thank all its supporters for their patience and the love they’ve shown during the prolonged closure, and more importantly, confirm the date it’ll be reopening once again – which is MUCH closer than most were probably expecting.
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Gorilla will be throwing its doors open to the Manchester public on Friday 3 November.
Announcing its reopening plans in a statement to Instagram last night, Gorilla wrote: “Well it’s been a wild six months, but we are so buzzing to finally announce that we are back [and] we honestly have not stopped thinking about getting back to Gorilla since we found out we were being closed.
“We reopen on 3 November with ‘Hits Different’, a night dedicated to all the pop bangers.
“Our first gig back is with our good mates and local legends Spangled, which we think is a perfect way to kick off celebrations [and then] straight after Spangled, we kick-off another party with Revolver, all the indie tracks, all night long.
“Whilst we have everyone’s attention, we just wanna say a big thank you to everyone for being so sound and supportive to us whilst all this has been happening.
“It’s been a big battle – but not one we ever gave up on.
“To the Gorilla team, we adore you all and never take any of your dedication for granted. Gorilla babes for life. See you at the bar.”
Featured Image – Gorilla
Music
Take That shine at the AO Arena in an over-the-top spectacle of a show that we’ll never forget
Danny Jones
Iconic 90s boy band and homegrown heroes Take That played the first of their five-night run at the AO Arena this Tuesday night and boy do these lads know how to put on a show.
I’m going to start this off by admitting I wasn’t necessarily the biggest Take That fan going in – the hordes of huns, mums and tipsy grans firmly won that – but I did walk out with my headphones full blast listening back to all the greatest hits I’d just had brought to life in front of me in glorious technicolour.
At one point, it looked like they might not get to play their truly massive Manc arena shows after the drama with Co-op Live’s ‘opening’ fortnight was derailed but, fortunately, the AO Arena were there to rescue this week’s performances and put together the frankly barmy production in just a few days.
So, first of all, big props have to go to them and they rightly did on the night; the venue helped keep lots of people’s dream gig alive, with both the headliners themselves and support act Olly Murs encouraging a huge round of applause from the packed-out 23,000 cap arena.
‘Olly olly’ opening (yes, he did chant get the entire crowd to chant that)
Speaking of Olly, again, I can’t pretend to be the biggest Murs fan but two things are true, I knew most of the words to his biggest hits as he played a medley of his career from start to finish and the man has bundles of energy.
He cut a George Michael and almost Harry Styles-esque figure at times (even if a few years older, sure), sprinting from one side of the stage to another, cycling through the whole roster of dance moves and giving the crowd exactly what they wanted: that cheeky chappy vibe that got him where he is.
While the 2010s UK chart-topper was a deeply unserious performer for the most part, simply having fun and pratting about as he wished – he even had a fun little stunt where people could call his number on stage – we’re not mad at it because make no mistake, he showed everyone a good time.
And it wasn’t all just playing forgotten pop tunes to his main and admittedly adoring demographic, he he paid a touching tribute to his late friend Caroline Flack with a slower ballad and gave plaudits to his live band who helped bring plenty more. And then these three other lads emerged through the fog…
Olly Murs opens for Take That at the AO ArenaIt was never going to be just an ordinary show…Credit: The Manc Audio
Non-stop shenanigans and we loved every second of it
Quite literally, we mean: Take That’s entrance felt like some kind of weird second coming and, to be fair, it looked to be a biblical experience for the die-hards who began to scream at pitches we’ve rarely heard as they walked out to ‘Keep Your Head Up’, the opener from their last year’s album.
An obvious way to start their Manc tour dates off, we had some idea of the shenanigans about to happen after spotting a few videos on social media but in no way we’re prepared for the thematic whiplash that was about to take place. Or how much we were going to enjoy it.
We’re not joking when we say we lost track of how many costume changes there were, how many times the set design shifted from a set of stairs (think of a Vegas-style cabaret show, only at one point they were on fire) to a walkway descending from the ceiling and so much more madness.
The overarching narrative, in short, was a slightly sardonic twist on a Take That TV show, with Gary, Mark and Howard introducing and flicking through all the big moments down the years. It reminded us of The 1975 stage production at times, only a little less artsy and a bit more wink-wink, nudge-nudge.
If we had to give you a top-line summary of the show overall, it’s intentionally camp, over-the-top and often silly by design, but all with plenty of self-awareness underpinned by the lads who, just like Olly did beforehand, did nothing but have a laugh on stage. Oh, and yes, Gary did ‘the thing’, don’t you worry.
Be it marching up and down stairs in synchronicity before running out of breath when they remember they’re 50, to delivering dance routines galore and getting the rest of the band to come and sway side-to-side with everyone sitting round a sofa, they pull out of the stops when it comes to pageantry.
It also has to be said that no matter how big a Take That fan you are, hearing a full AO Arena belting out ‘Patience’, ‘The Greatest Day’, ‘Never Forget’; ‘Rule The World’, ‘Back For Good’, ‘Relight My Fire’ and oh my they really do have a shed load of absolute bangers, don’t they?…
I mean, just look at this:
Probably the best moment of the night – even if they were wearing strange, Daft Punk-type space helmets.
To cut a long story short, while Take That obviously wished “all the best” to the Co-op Live for when it hopefully opens next week, it felt rather fitting for them to return once again to the venue that first started playing decades ago and still how the record for having played the most shows at.
Better still, the whole bells and whistle spectacle did add something to the experience and it wasn’t as gratuitous as it perhaps looks in some of the clips that have been memed up online. Still daft, don’t get us wrong, but they know it is and it made moments when the vocals were front and centre memorable.
It doesn’t matter how many years on they are, Take That’s latest show proves exactly why your mum, grandma, auntie and probably your uncle loved them in their heyday, why it was such a big deal when they came back in the noughties and why they’re still selling out arenas to this day.
They’ve been doing this for years and they’re absolute pros – we don’t see them going away again any time soon. Roll on the next few nights!
Take That at AO Arena, Manchester – seating plan, stage times and more after gigs shift from Co-op Live arena
Daisy Jackson
There aren’t many bands who can sell out SEVEN arena shows in Manchester – but Take That is clearly one of them.
Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald were set to perform a staggering run of shows across May and June at the Co-op Live – but we all know what happened there.
Their first five gigs have now been moved to the AO Arena instead, and will officially kick off on Tuesday 7 May.
It’s a huge homecoming gig for the trio, who’ll be performing hits from their whopping nine studio albums.
Ever since their comeback in 2006 they’ve become one of the biggest and best-selling pop groups on the planet, with almost every album topping the charts and reaching Platinum status.
But change of venue for Take That has meant thousands of tickets have been reallocated, and there is a date change in the mix too.
If you’re one of the lucky ones to bag tickets for Take That’s This Life On Tour tour in Manchester, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know.
What dates are Take That performing in Manchester?
Take That’s first batch of Manchester gigs have moved from the Co-op Live (right) to the AO Arena. Credit: The Manc Group
At AO Arena
Tuesday 7 May
Thursday 9 May (rescheduled from Wednesday 8 May)
Friday 10 May
Saturday 11 May
Sunday 12 May
At Co-op Live
Tuesday 11 June
Wednesday 12 June
How to get your new tickets after venue change from Co-op Live
If you had tickets for the group’s original planned shows at the new Co-op Live arena, you’re probably wondering how the venue change will work.
Any tickets that were purchased through Ticketmaster will automatically change in your account in the next few days (if they haven’t already).
If you have any queries about your ticket, contact your point of purchase.
What if your new seats for Take That are worse than your original booking?
Take That will bring their huge 2024 tour to Manchester this week. Credit: Publicity picture
Ooh yeah, this has been a bit of a sore subject for Take That fans, some of whom have found themselves in much worse seats than they initially paid for.
That’s down to the different layouts of the two arenas, and the fact that the AO Arena is slightly smaller than Co-op Live.
The AO Arena has asked ticketing providers to reallocate seats as fairly as possible, keeping seats as close to the original booking as they can.
The arena said in a statement to one disgruntled fan: “We appreciate your frustration and advise you contact your provider to discuss further.”
On their FAQ page, it states: “The transfer process takes into account the position of previous tickets, and the number of tickets in the individual booking.
:However, each venue is different in their block row and seat configuration, which will undoubtedly mean that some fans won’t get exactly what they had for the original show.”
If you’re one of the affected people who’s not happy with your new seat, you need to contact your ticket provider directly for help and advice.
What to do if you can’t make the rescheduled date
Most of the Take That shows have remained on their original dates, simply switching from Co-op Live arena to the AO Arena.
But the show originally scheduled for Wednesday 8 May has unfortunately had to be rearranged to Thursday 9 May.
If the new date doesn’t work for you, refunds are available from your point of purchase.
Seating plan at the AO Arena for Take That’s Manchester gigs
The exact venue layout for Take That at the AO Arena hasn’t actually been released by Ticketmaster at the time of writing.
But after decades hosting some of the biggest acts in the world, the venue is pretty familiar to most of us at this point.
The below chart is the one for Girls Aloud, which is also being staged as a fully seated concert.
Take That have been making use of a B Stage in the heart of the floor audience too, which will likely be added to their Manchester gig.
Who is supporting Take That at their Manchester shows?
In an effort to create the most chart-friendly, crowd-pleasing, middle-of-the-road pop night of all time, Take That have recruited Olly Murs as their support act.
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The former X Factor alumni headlined arenas across the UK in 2023 with his Marry Me tour, and now he’s back to warm up the crowds for Take That.
You can expect to hear some of the 39-year-old’s biggest hits, including Please Don’t Let Me Go, Heart Skips a Beat, and Dear Darlin.
What is Take That’s expected setlist?
Take That have already performed multiple dates on this tour, so we’ve got a good idea of what their setlist in Manchester will look like.
Keep Your Head Up
Windows
Giants
Days I Hate Myself
Everything Changes
Sure
Shine
A Million Love Songs
I Found Heaven
Pray
Forever Love (Gary Barlow song)
Clementine (Mark Owen song)
Speak Without Words (unreleased Howard Donald song)
Patience
The Flood
Get Ready for It
March of the Hopeful
The Champion
This Life
Greatest Day
These Days
Time and Time Again
Relight My Fire
One More Word
Hold Up a Light
Back for Good
Never Forget
Rule the World
What will the stage times be for Take That at the AO Arena Manchester?
Doors – 6pm
Olly Murs – 7.20pm
Take That – 8.35pm
Curfew – 11pm
*Stage times are often subject to change so allow plenty of time to get into the arena.
At the minute, tickets have been taken off sale for Take That, presumably while the AO Arena and Ticketmaster deal with transferring tickets from one arena to the other.
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But given that Co-op Live was completely sold out, and the AO Arena is smaller, there are unlikely to be any tickets remaining.
Your one remaining chance may be some re-released tickets from those who can no longer make the rearranged date, or reliable re-sale sites.
Is tram travel included with your gig ticket?
As part of Co-op Live’s huge opening season, they announced free tram travel for gig-goers in a partnership with TfGM.
Thankfully, this is being honoured for the shows that have switched to the AO Arena.
Tram travel around Greater Manchester is included with event tickets for four hours before and after Take That on Tuesday 7, Thursday 9, Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May.