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Pop-punk royalty back at their best — Blink 182 smash second night at Manchester’s AO Arena

It was a night filled with nostalgia, expert drum fills, plenty of pyros and just the right amount of toilet humour.

The Manc Audio The Manc Audio - 17th October 2023

Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker, a.k.a. the original blink-182 as we know and love them, made a final pitstop on the European leg of their world tour on Monday night at the AO Arena here in Manchester. 

Having established themselves as pop-punk royalty a long time ago, fans lined up in the cold to claim their spot at the front of the venue to witness the classic blink-182 line-up following bassist Mark’s recent battle with lymphoma and DeLonge’s long-awaited return to the band once again.

In front of a sell-out crowd of Mancs who were once teenagers listening to the band’s iconic sound for the first time, the trio emerged and delivered rip-roaring performances of classics such as ‘All The Small Things’ and ‘The Rock Show’, along with new material ahead of their new album release this Friday.

The SoCal rockers sent out waves of nostalgia, with everyone waiting to hear ‘What’s My Age Again?’ and, of course, ‘I Miss You’, leaving screaming fans asking themselves why they grew up in the first place — us included.

blink 182 manchester review
blink 182 ao arena review
Credit: The Manc Group

Travis Barker showed off an already bloody, bandaged hand to the camera after taking drumming to a whole other level as per usual, going on to be hoisted 50 feet into the air and continue his stand-out performance as his bandmates lovingly declared him “the best to ever do it”.

You’ll hear no argument from us.

There was fire, profanity, toilet humour (no surprise there) and just about everything else you could expect from the band who have been causing trouble for over 30 years now, with founding member Mark giving the crowd a heartfelt thank you for “saving his life for a second time.”

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We knew it would be somewhat of a throwback evening filled with plenty of adolescent abandon and memories of our youth flooding back, but we don’t think we were quite prepared for how emotional a night it ended up being.

travis barker drum solo manchester
blink 182 encore european tour

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After performing the bulk of the good stuff, the band departed the stage before re-emerging for their encore with a new song fittingly titled ‘One More Time’. A stripped-back, tear-inducing ballad centred on the band’s newfound understanding of the importance of friendship, notably with each other.

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With 20 shows in Europe done, it’s time for the band to head back to the warmer climates of the US, with a big gig in Las Vegas the next stop.

Let’s hope this is the beginning of a new era for Blink-182 and that Manchester leaves them with enough love to come back One More Time…

Bucket list stuff.

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Featured Image — The Manc Group

Audio

Manchester’s AO Arena scoop up Take That as Keane’s Co-op Live gig is cancelled in ongoing venue saga

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Take That gigs moved to AO Arena as Keane's Co-op Live are cancelled

Manchester’s existing arena, the AO Arena, has stepped in to host more concerts that have been postponed by Co-op Live, with yet another act being cancelled too.

First it was A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, announced earlier today and now, in perhaps the most damning twist of fate for the brand-new venue, Take That’s five-night run that was set for the Co-op Live this May has now been moved to the AO Arena.

Their two June dates at the new arena are said to be unaffected.

The Co-op Live‘s official opening has been hit with several delays, with events like Peter Kay’s double bill, Olivia Rodrigo and The Black Keys all already postponed over the last week or so.

Issuing a statement after rescuing multiple Take That shows, AO Arena general manager Jen Mitchell, said: “It wouldn’t be a Take That tour without a stop-off in Manchester, so it’s great to welcome the band and their fans back to AO Arena for five nights, in the heart of this wonderful city.”

The venue has naturally welcomed the sudden flood of extra names being added to its already strong lineup for 2024, doing its best to minimise inconvenience for gig-goers who have made travel arrangements, booked hotels etc.

As for the group themselves, they also responded to their tens of thousands of fans expecting to see them from this weekend onwards.

Confessing that they’ve had to make “the difficult decision” to switch venues and although “it’s not one [they’ve taken lightly], they wanted to give fans as much notice as possible”, adding: “We thank you for your understanding and we’ll see you all soon”.

Meanwhile, Noughties favourites Keane have sadly had to shelve their Manchester show for the foreseeable following the venue’s continuing “technical issues”.

Announcing the news on their social pages on Thursday evening, they admitted that they were “absolutely gutted” but that the decision was “entirely out of the control”.

Notably, the huge new venue by the Etihad Stadium had to turn away fans who were already queueing for A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie on Monday 1 May, after part of an air conditioning unit fell from the ceiling onto a (thankfully) empty arena floor.

Question marks had already been hanging over whether some upcoming gigs would be able to go ahead and now it seems that they will be taking place – just not at the Co-op Live…

Manchester’s decades-old AO Arena, the largest indoor venue in the UK (until the Co-op Live opens), will be welcoming Keane to its stage instead.

With so many people having been pitting the two venues against one another over the last weeks and months, let’s just say it’s quite clear who’s come out looking better at the minute…

Co-op Live recap – cancelled shows, rescheduled dates, and more from chaotic opening night

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press Images

Audio

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig to AO Arena following Co-op Live cancellation

Danny Jones Danny Jones A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig from Co-op Live to AO Arena after cancellation

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.

The switch to the AO comes after A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie issued a statement admitting he was ‘heated’ about the situation.

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!”.

Co-op Live’s CEO was forced to resign late last month following the chaos of what was supposed to be their opening week.

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.”

Safety has been raised as the biggest concern after an air conditioning unit fell from the ceiling before ABWDH’s concert.

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

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Featured Images — Press Images/The Manc Audio

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