Just as advertised, OVO had those in attendance at Manchester’s AO Arena last week and over the Easter bank holiday utterly enthralled as they watched over a “colourful ecosystem teeming with life – where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love”.
While the already pre-fascinated audience made their way to their seats, a lone giant egg occupied the stage before being soon replaced by an array of bright-coloured insect-like performers, resembling crickets, spiders and other critters.
The captivating introduction to the world of OVO was then followed by what may very be one of the most beautiful and breathtaking shows to grace the AO Arena in many, many years.
A showcase of acrobatics, skill and sheer mind-blowing talent, the production takes you on a journey of awe, shock and bewilderment. As the insects and bugs swung around the stage, being thrown through the air and contorting their limbs those watching on were left gasping. Nothing but exclaim and applause.
If we had to sum up Cirque du Soleil’s return to Manchester succinctly, mind-bending doesn’t even begin to cover it.
From stunning set to stunning set, each performer evoked emotion from those in their presence. Soloists left the stands in stunned silence as they moved oh so gracefully around the stage, telling the audience a story they may not always quite understand but are simply left with no choice but to feel every moment.
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Ethereal violins are the perfect accompaniment for the physical movement that had emotions swelling, chests tightening and eyes widening all around the AO.
Such moments were still broken up with more traditional comedic circus craft, as heads flew back in laughter in response to the rather hilarious love story of the travelling blue fly and ladybird love interest.
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They even got members of the audience up on stage to create further amusement for all the family.
But then, before you know it, things whip straight back into a world of high-risk stunts you’ll struggle to believe you’re witnessing live — we certainly did.
Performers are thrown from trapeze to trapeze, basically being caught by pinky fingers and little toes, twisting and turning through their air and even flying between the support struts of the apparatus, before the cast are then thrown into the air and dive into the netting below.
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Crickets throw themselves up walls, tumbling back down towards trampolines only to rebound right back to the top, as their counterparts tumble towards the crowd performing double and triple summersaults… and we’re still genuinely out of breath even just recounting it all.
The Manchester crowd absorbed every ounce of energy, clapping and whooping in sheer disbelief and wonder. As the story concludes the crowd are still left speechless but driven once again to fill the arena with applause.
After half a decade since the world-famous circus and entertainment group last landed in Manchester, Cirque du Soleil truly brought an experience unlike any other to the city.
We might have to wait another little while before they’re back but we sincerely recommend giving this other-worldly performance art a go if you haven’t before. Better still, they rock up to our friends over at The Hoot‘s territory for a run of shows later this week.
Lastly, if you want to find out more about every other big event coming up at the AO Arena in the first half of 2024, we’ve got a handy little list for you down below:
Manchester City’s Nathan Aké donates piano to grassroots music venue
Thomas Melia
Footballer and Manchester City star Nathan Aké has donated a piano to an iconic city centre grassroots venue in Manchester.
To celebrate ‘International Piano Day’, the Dutch defender has teamed up with legendary instrument-makers Casio by donating a state-of-the-art piano in one very lucky music venue.
Aké and Casio are donating pianos across the UK through their joint project titled ‘Playing For Change’.
The iconic grassroots venue that’s receiving this prestigious instrument is none other than Band on the Wall, which has been pumping out live music under this name since 1975.
Processed with VSCO with kp5 presetProcessed with VSCO with kp5 presetCredit: Supplied
This new addition will help the venue as a whole, but more importantly, it will come in very handy for their Saturday Music Club.
Running every weekend, this session helps young people discover music and develop their skills, now via the fantastic PX-S7000 Casio piano.
Band on the Wall is a much-loved and adored Manchester city centremusic institution, and they aren’t the only place benefitting from the Manchester city star and Casio.
So far, 12 disadvantaged schools in the UK have benefitted from this joint effort from Aké and Casio, all of which were surprised with their very own digital piano.
This newest partnership won’t come as a surprise to fans of the Man City centre-back, as he’s been known to play the piano since teaching himself in 2020, and now he’s spreading his love of music to communities nationwide.
Neil Evans, Head of Casio EMI, commented:“It’s exciting for us to support Band on the Wall with a gift of a brand new Privia piano.”
“We’re hoping it’s used often and inspires people into learning the piano and increasing their access to the joys of music, which is at the core of Playing For Change.”
As for Aké, while he might be sidelined for the foreseeable following surgery on a fractured foot, the Netherlands international will hopefully be able to get lots of practice playing those keys.
The funds will help improve the already incredible music scene in Manchester, benefitting staples likes Night and Day Café, Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, SOUP and more.
All of the donations will be distributed across six independent music venues and will be used for various instruments, PA equipment, backline technology and other necessities depending on the requirements of each site.
Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.Credit: Supplied
This initiative has been keeping Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to live music as well as the impressive Co-op Live.
Alongside providing vital resources for these local institutions, Elbow teaming up with Co-op Live also helps cement the North West as one of the main powerhouses in relation to live music.
The latest efforts from the largest indoor arena in Manchester fall in line with celebrating one year of bringing some of the best live music to the city, being officially open for 12 months in May.
Co-op Live have made a commitment to the people and the planet, promising to donate £1 million annually to the Co-op Foundation.
The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester’s largest indoor arena.Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.Credit: Audio North/Supplied
Manchester’s latest live music venue also contributed significantly to selected charities, including Happy Doggo – chosen by Liam Gallagher and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.
As Elbow teams up with Co-op Live, even more money is making its way to necessary resources, this time in the likes of crucial live music establishments.
Elbow front-person Guy Garvey says: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded.”
“When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”
Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live, adds: “In the past year, I have been proud to see Co-op Live become an integral part of such an incredible city.”
“Teaming up with Elbow to directly support the venues that first put Manchester on the map, and to share something so intrinsic to us as venues – proper sound – is something truly special.”
The Manc -
2nd April 2024 
