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Billie Eilish announces FOUR huge Manchester gigs at new Co-op Live arena

Dates and how to get tickets below...

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 29th April 2024

Global pop megastar Billie Eilish will perform FOUR massive gigs here in Manchester next year.

The star has announced the show as part of the Hit Me Hard And Soft tour, which spans more than 80 dates across the globe.

Billie last performed in Manchester in 2022, when she brought her Happier Than Ever tour to the AO Arena.

This time, she’s picked the city’s new Co-op Live arena, where she’s lined up four nights – and tickets go on sale later this week.

The tour announcement comes ahead of the release of her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, which is pencilled for release on 17 May.

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Billie Eilish and her co-writer and producer brother Finneas have earned dozens of awards for their music since she burst onto the scene with Ocean Eyes in 2016.

Among those awards are nine Grammys, three Brit Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and even a couple of Oscars (for her songs on James Bond’s No Time to Die, and then the Barbie soundtrack).

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Billie announced her latest huge tour this afternoon, which includes dates across the USA, Europe, and Australia.

This is the third huge act to be announced at Co-op Live today alone, which has also added Janet Jackson and Craig David to its bill of events.

The 23,500-capacity venue is set to officially open to the public on 1 May after a few delays, with both Peter Kay and the Black Keys rescheduled to later dates.

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Billie Eilish will perform at Co-op Live in Manchester on 19, 20, 22, and 23 July 2025.

Tickets will go on general sale on 3 May 2024 at 12pm through See Tickets here.

Co-op Members can have early access to tickets from midday on 30 April 2024.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

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Black Keys at Co-op Live, Manchester – huge venue’s first taste of the blues

Charlie Watkinson Charlie Watkinson The Black Keys at Co-op Live Manchester, reviewed

As a huge Black Keys fan, when I found out they were set to be the first band to grace the stage at Co-op Live, I just knew I had to be there.

Of course, it didn’t turn out that way.

After numerous cancellations and rescheduling, Elbow managed to nab the first spot, with the Black Keys taking to the stage the following night instead (several weeks later than their original show date).

Let me tell you though – they did not disappoint.

Having been one of the starry-eyed fans at Elbow the previous night, and been properly impressed by the sound quality inside the massive new Manchester venue, the thought of hearing Dan Auerbach’s epic bluesy riffs had me beyond excited.

Entering the stage playing the heavy-hitting I Got Mine, followed by one of their most well-known tracks, Gold on the Ceiling, it was evident we were in for a great show.

I have to admit, though, as a die-hard Black Keys fan, I couldn’t ignore how static the crowd was throughout the whole performance.

It almost seemed like the room was filled with people who didn’t know their songs, perhaps due to rescheduling and Co-op Live dishing out tickets to say ‘sorry for the inconvenience’?

The quiet stillness of the crowd did a great disservice to the electrifying talent on stage. Luckily, this didn’t matter too much.

Closing with their most popular song, Lonely Boy, I almost forgot how still the crowd had been as I watched the entire stadium howling, “DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH – DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH.”

Although I wanted more from the crowd, all in all, the Black Keys played a setlist fit for a super fan and gave Co-Op Live its first taste of the blues.

I just wished the audience had been Howlin’ for You all night, not so Tighten Up’… As you were.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Elbow at Co-op Live arena – local lads officially open troubled venue with staggering performance

Charlie Watkinson Charlie Watkinson Elbow officially opened Manchester's Co-op Live arena last night

The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived. After multiple setbacks and HVAC issues wreaking havoc, the Co-op Live is open for business.

And I must admit, Elbow’s opening show last night didn’t disappoint in the slightest.

The event absolutely blew my socks off. It’s hard to believe that a venue with such teething problems could produce such a streamlined experience.

From the building itself, the layout, the lovely staff, the food, the sound, and the overall amazing organisation, it’s impossible not to fantasise about watching all your favourite artists here.

And actually, the delays have sort of worked in the troubled venue’s favour.

It feels only fitting for Mancunian legends Elbow to christen the Co-op Live (no offence, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie) with a typically evocative performance.

Hearing anthems like One Day Like This and Grounds for Divorce with the incredible acoustics that Co-op Live has crafted was truly special and constantly left me in awe.

Throughout the whole performance, you could see how much it meant to Elbow to be the opening act.

@the.manc

The Coop Live was magical last night #manchester #elbow #thecooplive

♬ original sound – The Manc

The passion and vibrancy were evident, with lead singer Guy Garvey giving constant praise to the staff and crew who worked so hard to finally get this place up and running.

After the show, Elbow took to Instagram to say: “Thank you Manchester and The Co-op Live, you were amazing.”

All in all, an ethereal blessing was cast upon Co-op Live last night – one that I hope is here to stay.

From a city with such a rich musical background, there’s no better way for Manchester to reclaim its place at the forefront of the UK music scene than this.

Bring on the next shows!

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