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Craig David announces gig at Manchester’s Co-op Live as part of UK tour in 2025

The Craig-naissance continues.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 29th April 2024

UK R&B, garage and pop legend Craig David is heading back out on tour next year as has revealed the soon-to-open Co-op Live Arena as the location for his Manchester date.

The ‘7 Days’, ‘Fill Me In’ and ‘DNA’ singer has been well and truly on the comeback over the past few years and as one of the biggest British chart-toppers of the noughties, we are loving having Craig David back smashing the live music circuit.

Announcing his latest ‘Commitment’ tour in early 2025, the 42-year-old becomes the latest name to join the long list of people queuing up to play Manchester’s newest and biggest indoor venue, Co-op Live.

The ground-breaking arena has suffered some pretty public setbacks over the last week or so, with Peter Kay’s double bill and The Black Keys having to be pushed back due to the venue not being quite ready, but it hasn’t stopped more acts from booking shows there.

Craig David confirms Co-op Live Arena date for Manchester return.

Set to kick off a run of just under a dozen initial domestic shows in Leeds before heading to Manchester on Friday, 14 February and closing out the schedule at the O2 in London on 20 February, it’s sure to be a popular tour.

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Better still, he’s bringing an equally nostalgic name along with him for the ride as fellow 2000s hit-maker Lemar has been confirmed as his special guest and main support act.

Lemar played a pair of 20th anniversary shows here in Manchester city centre in April 2023 and is also joining boyband JLS on their ‘Summer Hits’ tour this July – including a special gig at Barton Airport.

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We’re loving all these throwbacks.

We’ll take as much Craig as we can get.

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General admission tickets for the gig go on sale this Friday, 3 May at 10am with pre-sale available to Co-op members from the same time this Wednesday.

You can join the official Craig David mailing list now and get ready to grab your tickets HERE.

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This latest edition to the arena’s debut calendar of events comes within hours of legendary American artist Janet Jackson joining Co-op Live’s list of upcoming shows.

Here’s hoping the rest all go off without a hitch. We know the big man won’t disappoint as he certainly didn’t last time we saw him:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images/The Manc Audio

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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

Audio

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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