The Co-op Live finally opens its doors in April 2024 and while we’re still a way off, it already has a huge list of shows planned for next year and even into 2025.
Manchester’s newest arena, entertainment venue and arts space, which will be the largest indoor arena in the UK when finished, is set to host some huge musicians over the next year or so. No surprise considering Harry Styles is an investor.
So far a total of ten acts have been confirmed, which includes beloved pop acts like Jonas Brothers, Olivia Rodrigo, Keane and even Take That, who have already signed up for a frankly ridiculous SEVEN shows. — but there’s sure to be plenty more revealed in the coming months.
Here’s the full list of artists confirmed for Co-Op Live thus far.
Everyone confirmed as playing Co-Op Live
In chronological order, here all the Co-Op Live gigs on the schedule over the next two years:
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1. Olivia Rodrigo — 3-4 May, 2024
Olivia will be hitting up Manchester during her GUTS World Tour. It’s in support of her second album of the same name, which was released back in September. The last time she was in Manchester, fans were shocked to see her casually singing and having a drink in Bunny Jackson’s after the show. Let’s see where she ends up post-gig this time in May.
2. Keane — 5 May, 2024
They’re back and they’re celebrating 20 years since their landmark debut album Hopes and Fears. They’ll be playing songs from throughout their career, performing the best of the best and to make things even better, they’ll also have support from Manchester’s own, The Lathums.
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As if this wasn’t joyous news enough, wait until you see the supports… 👀
Somewhere Only We Know is going to sound magnificent in here.
3. Take That — 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 May AND 11-12 June (wow…)
They announced a new tour alongside the announcement of their ninth studio album, This Life. We obviously thought these big hitters would be doing a couple of shows here but no one expected their return to involve them ramming seven massive Manchester shows down our throats — not that we’re complaining.
We were going to do the ‘four naan, Jeremy?’ meme but they just kept adding dates…
4. Eric Clapton – 18 May, 2024
Adding one last show in Manchester to his UK tour, this is Clapton’s first performance here in over a decade. Expect him to be performing all his classics like ‘Tears In Heaven’ and ‘Layla’, as well as reminding everyone why he’s still at it so many years later.
With a huge legacy that includes multiple awards including a GRAMMY and a Tony, as well as officially surpassing Elvis for the longest-running residency in Las Vegas, our Barry has had quite the career. As for how he intends to spend next year, at least one chapter will include him coming to the Co-op Live for an exclusive Manchester-only show.
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6. James – 14 June
One of the longest-running Manc bands, James will be putting on a huge summer hometown show and have chosen to be one of the first artists at the Co-op Live next year to do it, with a little bit of help from Noughties icons Razorlight as support acts, no less.
They’ve been doing their own solo stuff for so long that we almost forgot they were a highly successful boy band in the 2000 and 2010s. In case you weren’t aware, they’ve been back making music together since 2019 and in May released their sixth studio album, but we’re looking forward to them playing all the hits, of course. Alexa, play ‘Burnin’ Up’…
He’s already announced he’ll be playing in Manchester at the AO Arena in March. He’ll be back though after his world tour ends as he’s also announced he’ll be playing at the Co-op Live in August. With Harry Styles an investor in the new arena, One Direction reunion when?
We don’t know what we’re doing next week, never mind in winter 2025. Mick Hucknall does though as he already has ‘playing in Manchester’ on his calendar for September 2025 to celebrate 40 years of Simply Red.
Lastly, the most recent announcement is also the first comedian to be announced to perform at the Co-op Live. Jason Manford fans will be beaming to see the local funny man performing on such a big stage. Unfortunately, they’ll have to wait two whole years to see him — but at least you’ve got plenty of time to sort tickets!
And that’s your lot: 10 top acts for you to enjoy in 2024 and 2025 already with plenty more to come.
It’s been a while since we’ve had a brand new venue of this kind of size and calibre open anywhere in Greater Manchester, so we’re looking forward to seeing what it looks like in the flesh once it’s open.
In fact, The Manc even had the pleasure of popping inside earlier this year to take a glance at how it’s coming along.
Featured Image — Take That (via Facebook)/Co-Op Live/Jason Manford
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Peter Hook is hosting a charity gig and Q&A at an iconic Manchester pub to raise money for mental health
Danny Jones
Joy Division and New Order co-founder, Peter Hook, is taking part in a charitable evening of live music and conversation right here in Manchester city centre early next year, and it’s being hosted at one of Manchester’s most beloved pubs, the Star and Garter.
Being held at the legendary city centre pub, which now bears the freshly restored mural of his former bandmate and one of the greatest English musicians of all time, Ian Curtis, the significance of the intimate concert being held at such an iconic music venue is not lost on anyone.
Better still, the special one-off gig, Q&A session and evening as a whole has been set up with the help of local music-driven mental health organisation, Headstock, and will be raising money for their partnered nationwide charity, Shout.
Peter Hook and the Light are merely the latest in a long line of huge names to grace the Star and Garter.
Announcing the gig on Monday, 4 December, the veteran vocalist, bass player and singer-songwriter said of the inspirational fundraising gig, which will also pay tribute to Curtis: “I have campaigned for a long time for Ian and Joy Division to be commemorated anyway and anywhere possible.
“From the statue in Macclesfield, still ongoing, and the mural there as well; to the mural in Manchester and the upcoming one in Stockport. I will only rest when every town in Great Britain has something.
“I am immensely proud of Ian and our work as Joy Division and to celebrate it in this way is such a pleasure. I am hoping to bring Ian’s best man at his wedding and childhood friend, Kelvin Briggs to join me so fans can get a real insight into this wonderful man and artist.
“To play at such an iconic venue as the Star and Garter just seals the deal perfectly.”
Speaking on the event, Headstock founder Atheer Al-Salim said, “We are so grateful to Peter Hook and his band who are giving up their time and talent to help us raise much-needed funds to support our charity partner, Shout, and their life-saving text-support service.
“The evening promises to be a poignant moment for Manchester, and an event of huge musical and cultural significance for the city.”
As for Shout, their CEO Victoria Hornby added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Peter Hook and The Light and Headstock for putting on this very special event which will raise vital funds for us to keep the Shout text messaging support service running 24/7.
“Our volunteers take up to 2,000 conversations with children, young people and adults in urgent need of mental health support every day, and every £10 raised funds a conversation that could save a life.”
Set to play a predominantly Joy Divison-based set in the same year that the famous Manc four-piece finally received their inaugural nomination to be entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there will be just 200 spaces available and the Star and Garter be packed just as it was back in its heyday.
Tickets will be allocated via a ballot on Skiddle, with the first ballot already open and will close on Friday, 2 February 2024. Each successful ballot entrant will be allocated a maximum of two tickets to the event.
The pricing for ‘An Evening of Music and Conversation with Peter Hook’ on 12 April, 2024 is as follows:
1x ballot entry – £10
3x ballot entries – £15
10x ballot entries – £20
The gig is already selling fast, so secure your spot to see an unforgettable night of music and insight, all for a great cause, HERE.
Parklife 2024 announces first headliner – and cheaper tickets
Daisy Jackson
Parklife has announced an industry-first ticket price reduction for its 2024 festival, along with its first headliner.
The much-loved Manchester music festival will be back in the fields of Heaton Park between 8 and 9 June, bringing tens of thousands of fans to the biggest party of the year.
And Parklife has just revealed its first headliner for its next instalment, with a European exclusive performance from trailblazing house superstars Fisher and Chris Lake.
They’ll be bringing their mammoth Under Construction show, which first debuted at Coachella in 2023 to a 50,000-strong audience, to Heaton Park for the first time outside of America.
Fisher and Chris Lake will be performing at the new-and-improved Hangar stage at Parklife 2024.
The festival has also revealed that ticket prices will be reduced in 2024 – the first festival to announce such a move.
Parklife organisers say they’re determined to make the event, which attracts 160,000 fans across the weekend, more accessible to generations of music fans.
Aitch performing at Parklife 2023. Credit: Sam NeillThe Parklife 2024 announcement poster as ticket prices are announced. Credit: Supplied
Weekend tickets for Parklife 2024 will start from just £125, down from last year’s price of £129.50 (meanwhile Glastonbury hiked its price from £335 to £355…)
Day tickets will cost £69.50, available from parklife.uk.com.
Tickets will go on sale this week, with a presale from 10am on Wednesday 6 December, followed by general sale from 10am on Friday 8 December.
Payment plans are available, with a £50 deposit.
The full programme for Parklife 2024 will be revealed in January 2024.
How much are Parklife 2024 tickets?
Weekend tickets start from £125 (plus booking fees)
Dean Hadcock -
11th October 2023 
