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Girls Aloud to reunite for 21st anniversary with huge arena tour, including two nights in Manchester

The Sound Of The Underground is returning to Manchester.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 22nd November 2023

Girls Aloud are back.

It’s been 21 long years since Cheryl, Kimberley, Nadine, Nicola and Sarah won over the nation on Popstars: The Rivals, and whilst it’s been ten years since Girls Aloud last performed as a group, that’s all set to change in 2024…

The arena anniversary tour will honour founding bandmate and Mancunian Sarah Harding who sadly passed away in 2021.

The tour will “celebrate Sarah […] the band […] and the fact that we can still do this 21 years later” says Cheryl Tweedy.

The 15-date ‘Girls Aloud Show’ will begin in Dublin in May 2024, finishing in Liverpool six weeks later and includes two nights in Manchester at the AO Arena.

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No doubt these will be emotional nights for the whole band and Girls Aloud fans alike, as this was the city that Sarah Harding called home.

Before finding fame on talent show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002, the popstar was a former Hazel Grove High School pupil who studied hair and beauty at Stockport College and she worked on the promotions team for two nightclubs in The Grand Central Leisure Park in Stockport, as well as waitressing at Pizza Hut.

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Kimberley said: “Over the last year, we’ve felt this outpouring of love – obviously towards Sarah, but actually towards all of us as a group. And I guess it’s ignited something in all of us again. It feels like something has changed and it does feel like the right time to celebrate Sarah and the 20-year anniversary that we didn’t celebrate at the time.”

Cheryl says: “We all started talking about the possibility of doing something to celebrate Girls Aloud’s 20-year anniversary a few years ago. The anniversary seemed like an obvious thing that we would celebrate. But when Sarah fell ill all priorities changed.

“She passed away a year before the anniversary and it just didn’t feel right, it felt too soon. But now, I think there is an energy that does makes it feel right.

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“It’s the right time to celebrate Sarah, it’s the right time to celebrate the band and the right time to celebrate the fact we can still do this 21 years later. That’s a big honour in lots of ways.”

Entitled ‘The Girls Aloud Show’, the band have confirmed the tour will not feature any new music, but will instead “be a celebration of Girls Aloud’s rich back catalogue and all the ground-breaking success they have achieved as a band.”

‘The Girls Aloud Show’ 2024 arena tour dates

Saturday 18 May – 3Arena Dublin

Monday 20 May – SSE Arena Belfast

Thursday 23 May – Manchester AO Arena

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Friday 24 May – Manchester AO Arena

Monday 27 May – Cardiff Utilita Arena

Friday 31 May – Newcastle Utilita Arena

Saturday 1 June – Newcastle Utilita Arena

Tuesday 4 June – Aberdeen P&J Live

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Saturday 8 June – Glasgow OVO Hydro

Wednesday 12 June – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena

Saturday 15 June – Leeds First Direct Arena

Tuesday 18 June – Birmingham Resorts World Arena

Saturday 22 June – London The O2

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Sunday 23 June – London The O2

Saturday 29 June – Liverpool M&S Bank Arena

Nadine: “Girls Aloud are a band that made such a huge impact on people’s lives. We grew up with the band, but so did so many other people. So for us not to do something again feels like such a shame and a waste. We want to have that moment with fans where we can all enjoy it together.”

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Tickets go on sale on Wednesday 29 November from 9am, with the general on sale Friday 1 December at 9am, all via the Girls Aloud website.

Feature Image – Supplied

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

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Inside Co-op Live in Manchester

The opening night at Co-op Live was marred by ‘a venue-related technical issue’ (something fell from the ceiling), triggering further delays to the huge new Manchester arena and even more rescheduled shows.

The ground-breaking new arena, which will be the largest indoor venue in the UK when it actually opens, has once again had to postpone its official launch.

In a dramatic turn of events on Wednesday 1 May, fans who were already queueing outside Co-op Live were told the A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie concert had been cancelled.

Then followed further postponed gigs, with the venue also pulling the plug on Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS tour which was meant to visit Manchester on Friday and Saturday.

The Co-op Live has already rescheduled Peter Kay twice, as well as The Black Keys – and now more future gigs are being pushed back.

And now the question on everyone’s lips is whether Take That, Keane, or other huge shows will go ahead as planned.

It all happened pretty quickly last night, so here’s an essential recap of all the drama.

Which Co-op Live shows have been postponed or cancelled so far?

Peter Kay poked fun at Co-op Live in his event poster. Credit: Peter Kay
Peter Kay poked fun at Co-op Live in his event poster. Credit: Peter Kay
The Black Keys. Credit: Larry Niehues
The Black Keys. Credit: Larry Niehues

So far, the 23,500-capacity venue has had to reschedule or indefinitely postpone eight different events.

These have included Peter Kay, who was lined up to perform two gigs, which have now been moved twice.

The only event that has gone ahead so far has been a test event with Rick Astley, and even that saw thousands of tickets cancelled at the last minute to safely reduce capacity inside (we were one of the lucky few to go, and it does look amazing inside).

Then there was obviously the last-minute drama when A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was cancelled while fans were already outside Co-op Live, and then pop star Olivia Rodrigo having TWO gigs rescheduled.

Here’s the full list:

  • Peter Kay – original dates 23 and 24 April. Rescheduled dates 29 and 30 April. NEW DATES 23 and 24 May.
  • The Black Keys – original date 27 April. New date 15 May 2024.
  • A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie – original date 1 May. New date to be confirmed.
  • Olivia Rodrigo – original dates 3 and 4 May. New dates to be confirmed.

What’s on next at the Co-op Live arena?

Take That is still scheduled to go ahead at Co-op Live after some other shows were cancelled.
Take That is still scheduled to go ahead at Co-op Live after some other shows were cancelled.

Despite these high-profile cancellations, the Co-op Live still has plenty of incredible shows lined up in the coming weeks.

Notably, Take That have essentially planned a residency that will see them take over the huge venue for SEVEN nights.

At the time of writing, the following shows will still be going ahead this month. Fingers crossed everyone…

  • Keane – 5 May
  • Take That – 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 May, then 11 and 12 June.
  • Elbow – 14 May
  • The Black Keys – 15 May (rescheduled from 27 April)
  • Eric Clapton – 18 May
  • Barry Manilow – 19 May
  • Peter Kay – 23 and 24 May (rescheduled from 23 and 24 April)
  • Nicki Minaj – 25 and 30 May
  • Eagles – 31 May, then 1, 4, 7 and 8 June

Olivia Rodrigo statement and updates

Olivia Rodrigo has announced a Manchester gig at Co-op Live
Olivia Rodrigo has had her Co-op Live gigs rescheduled. Credit: Nick Walker

Olivia Rodrigo is arguably the most high-profile music event to be postponed at Co-op Live so far, with the pop sensation due to perform two sold-out shows.

It’s all part of her GUTS world tour and was meant to visit Manchester on 3 and 4 May.

Although her two shows this week have definitely been postponed, Co-op Live have yet to announce new dates.

In a statement, she sad: “I’ve been having such a great time in Europe so far and I’m sooooo disappointed that we’re unable to perform in Manchester due to on-going venue-related technical issues.

“We’re doing our best to reschedule the show. you can hold onto your tickets for further info or request a refund at your point of purchase. More info will be sent directly to ticket holders.

“I’m so bummed and I really hope to see you all soon.”

Why has the Co-op Live opening been postponed again?

Co-op Live’s initial delay was caused by ‘power supply issues’ and they postponed several shows to test emergency services communications.

This most recent delay was caused by ‘a venue-related technical issue’ which emerged to be a piece of the air-conditioning system falling from the ductwork inside the arena bowl.

It’s believed that the issue with the HVAC system was an isolated incident ’caused by a factory defect’.

Co-op Live said: “We were not able to verify that all similar nozzles were free of such defects.

“In conjunction with wider stakeholders, Oak View Group has made the necessary call to ensure the full safety of all visitors to the venue, and to postpone the performance.”

What Co-op Live have said about the delays

As A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s gig was cancelled, Co-op Live said: “Due to a venue-related technical issue, tonight’s A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show will no longer go ahead. We kindly ask fans to leave the area. Tickets holders will receive further information in due course. We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”

On Olivia Rodrigo, a statement released said: “Due to an on-going venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed. Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase. We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”

And as for the future of the venue’s opening schedule, they said: “We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows. We are working with artist management and promoters to limit the impact on the opening season schedule.

“Where necessary, we will identify alternate dates, and will continually reassess to provide fans with sufficient notice regarding imminent shows.

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“Should shows be cancelled or rescheduled, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund where preferred.”

Co-op Live should announced details of rescheduled dates in due course.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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‘Disappointed’ Olivia Rodrigo issues statement to Manchester fans after Co-op Live postpones gigs

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Olivia Rodrigo has announced a Manchester gig at Co-op Live

Olivia Rodrigo has issued a statement to her Manchester fans after her run of gigs at Co-op Live have been postponed.

The US singer-songwriter was due to perform two massive sold-out shows tomorrow and Saturday (3 and 4 May 2024) here in Manchester at the city’s newest venue, the now-troubled Co-op Live, as part of her GUTS world tour – but, due to what has been referred to as “ongoing venue-related technical issues”, these gigs are now the latest in a long line of postponements.

The huge 23,500-capacity arena confirmed yesterday evening, following the last-minute cancellation of A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie – which was due to be first music show held at the venue, following the postponements of Peter Kay and The Black Keys – that both Rodrigo’s gigs will be postponed.

New dates will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed, Co-op Live assured ticket-holders.

Co-op Live said in a statement: “Due to an ongoing venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed. Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase.

“We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”

The Drivers License singer also took a moment to assure her presumably-disappointed attending fans that she too was “disappointed” by the situation.

In a statement shared to her 37.2 million followers on Instagram yesterday, Olivia wrote on her Story: “Hello! I’ve been having such a great time in Europe so far and I’m soooooo disappointed that we’re unable to perform in Manchester due to ongoing venue-related technical issues.”

The 21-year-old told Manchester fans that “we’re doing our best to reschedule” the shows.

Co-op Live WILL open this week, it has assured fans. Credit: The Manc Group
Olivia Rodrigo has issued a statement to Manchester fans after Co-op Live postpones her gigs / Credit: Olivia Rodrigo (via Instagram) | The Manc Group

Her statement continued: “You can hold onto your tickets for further info or request a refund at your point of purchase. More info will be sent directly to ticketholders.

“I’m so bummed and I really hope to see you all soon.”

As previously mentioned, the massive arena was supposed to open for the first time to the public last night with a performance by US rapper, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, but it was called off at the eleventh hour and fans were turned away from the doors just minutes before they were meant to open.

Co-op Live has now confirmed that the reason for the cancellation was due to a piece of the HVAC (air conditioning) system having “separated from the ductwork”.

Because of this, rigorous testing on the rest of the system now needs to take place before fans can safely be welcomed inside.

Read more:

The next expected show on the Co-op Live schedule is Keane on Sunday 5 May, before beloved Manchester boyband, Take That, play a massive run of shows from 7-11 May and extra dates on 11 and 12 June.

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