New images have been released that give a glimpse inside the Co-op Live arena, the enormous 23,500-capacity venue that’s being built beside the Etihad Stadium.
As the UK’s only music-first arena, and with expert design input from Bruce Springsteen and Harry Styles, Manchester’s exciting new arena will feature an innovative ‘smart bowl’.
It will have the largest floor space of any indoor venue, a lower ceiling than other arenas, and tiered seating that will take fans closer to the action.
Co-op Live is the first of its kind to be built with concert acoustics as a priority.
Not only will gig-goers experience state-of-the-art acoustics, there’ll be nothing to detract from the visual spectacles on stage either – the bowl will feature no corporate branding, and soundproof black curtains will be used in the suites that line the edges of level two.
ADVERTISEMENT
The smart bowl at Co-op Live arena. Credit: Supplied
There’ll be 32 bars, restaurants, and lounges around the site, including a locally sourced and sustainable food and drink offering.
The shell of the arena is now clearly taking shape just north of the city centre, with the project set to be complete in December 2023.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s a joint venture between Oak View Group and City Football Group, with Harry Styles as a private investor and consultant in the design.
Harry said: “I am incredibly happy to be partnering with OVG on their plans for Co-op Live.
“Manchester is an incredible city filled with incredible people and I couldn’t be happier to be involved in this project. It very much feels like coming home.”
ADVERTISEMENT
President of OVG International, Jessica Koravos, said: “Co-op Live is about the fan and the artist, it is specially designed to deliver the best sound, atmosphere and experience for everyone who walks through our doors.
“Innovative technology and design will bring a unique live entertainment experience to the UK.”
The venue will also have 330 tonnes of rigging capacity and eight loading bays, so some of the world’s biggest live productions can come to Manchester.
More images of Manchester’s new Co-op Live arena
The state-of-the-art smart bowl at Co-op Live. Credit: SuppliedThe Co-op Live’s atrium. Credit: SuppliedThe entrance. Credit: SuppliedA bar at the Co-op Live arena. Credit: SuppliedCanalside. Credit: SuppliedCredit: SuppliedThe backstage club. Credit: SuppliedThe Deck Suite. Credit: SuppliedThe Atrium Mezzanine. Credit: SuppliedAtrium. Credit: SuppliedDressing room. Credit: SuppliedBackstage Club entrance. Credit: Supplied
Audio
Nelly announces massive Manchester gig on Where The Party At Tour
Daisy Jackson
Hip-hop star Nelly is heading to Manchester on his upcoming Where The Party At Tour, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his debut album Country Grammar.
The Hot In Herre singer and rapper has announced a run of shows across the UK and Europe for next year.
Those include a massive gig at the AO Arena in Manchester, where Nelly will perform hits from across his career.
He’s lined up some huge support acts to join him on the UK leg of the Where The Party At Tour too, including Eve, Fabolous, Jermaine Dupri and St. Lunatics.
Expect to hear chart-topping hits like Hot In Herre, Dilemma, and Ride Wit Me, in a show that he promises will be ‘packed with surprises’.
Nelly is a multi-platinum, three-times Grammy Award-winning entertainer and entrepreneur, who very recently landed a gig as a special guest for Janet Jackson’s Together Again Tour.
His newly-announced 54-date tour will take him across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States, kicking off on 21 March 2025.
Nelly said: “Yo, ‘Where Da Party At Tour’ we are taking this tour worldwide – I got my folks with me Ja Rule, Jermaine Dupri, Eve, the St. Lunatics, and Fabulous — so you know it’s all 2025… LETS GOOOOO..!!! Da Party AT…!!”
Nelly will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 7 June 2025.
General sale tickets are available from 10am on Friday 13 December, with various presales live from Tuesday 10 December.
Lidl are offering a reward for their Liam Gallagher plaque to be safely returned
Danny Jones
Supermarket chain Lidl are desperate and in dire need of our help: they’re offering a reward to whoever safely returns one of their most treasured possessions – a Liam Gallagher plaque.
If you don’t remember the rather silly story from earlier this year, Oasis’ soon-to-return lead singer did plenty of poking fun at the Co-op Live‘s opening date being pushed back and multiple cancellations.
The iconic frontman ultimately ended up playing his four nights at the state-of-the-art arena with no issues, but as a tongue-in-cheek testament to his joke that’d he play a “gig in Lidl” if the venue wasn’t ready in time, the German-founded group erected a plaque in memory of the gag.
However, Lidl’s beloved Liam Gallagher plaque has since gone missing but rather than launch a full-scale manhunt, they’re trying to keep up the festive spirit and instead offering a pretty significant reward to the person that brings it back to them.
Don’t look plaque in anger – we need your help! 🚨
Our Liam Gallagher plaque in Manchester, honouring the gig that almost happened, has gone missing! 📷 Can you help us bring it home in time for Christmas?🎄We've got a £500 Lidl voucher ready and waiting in exchange for its safe… pic.twitter.com/VYr5RygttT
Although leads on the missing bit of royal blue metal are scarce, the plaque that was hung outside their Newton Heath store back in June disappeared this month.
Not only was it an amusing bit of history for the brand but the sign itself actually became a bit of an ironic but nevertheless genuine tourist attraction, with people grabbing snaps next to it and it even featured on the Manchester Taxi Tour itineraries.
This little plaque was actually just the start of a weird love affair between the two; back in October, Lidl also dropped an absolutely perfectly placed advert right in front of a giant poster of Liam Gallagher’s Berghaus ad campaign in the centre of Manchester.
Very good indeed.
All that being said, they really would love to be reunited with the memento of their relationship, so much so that they’re offering a whopping £500 to spend in Lidl vouchers for its safe return.
Credit: James Speakman/PA Media Assignments (supplied via Lidl GB)
Just think of all the nonsense you could buy in the ‘Middle of Lidl’ aisle, a.k.a. the best part of the whole shop.
Those who have any information on the whereabouts of the Liam Gallagher plaque should email the following address: [email protected]. The Burnage brothers aren’t holding grudges anymore and neither are Lidl.
Let’s bring Liam home for Christmas. As you were x
Daisy Jackson -
19th October 2022 
