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Loyle Carner announces special summer show at Castlefield Bowl

One of the biggest acts in the country is coming back to Manchester next year. (this article contains affiliate links)

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 24th October 2023

British hip-hop star Loyle Carner has announced a special limited-run tour next summer and, unsurprisingly, Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl is on the list.

After his much-talked-about sell-out show at the O2 Victoria Warehouse in February, the smooth and soulful low-fi lyricist is already planning his return to Manchester next year, selecting the Bowl as one of just four shows he’ll be playing from June to August when summer rolls back around.

This comes after his previous UK tour sold out within minutes in what was a standout year for the ever-growing artist, playing the likes of the Royal Albert Hall, Wembley; a headline slot at Glastonbury’s West Holts stage, Primavera Sound and most recently Reading and Leeds Festival.

After selling out all across Europe and the US too — where he is still currently playing a handful of dates — Loyle Carner is riding arguably the biggest wave of his career to date, so it’s only right he takes it all the way to a sunny Castlefield Bowl in 2024.

Set to play the beloved amphitheatre on Wednesday, 10 July, the 29-year-old promises to play all of his biggest hits to date as well as his most recent and critically acclaimed third studio album, hugo — one of our favourites from 2022.

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The three other shows on the small but special summer tour include Dublin’s Fairview Park on 30 June, before heading to Halfix, then Manchester and finishing off at the SWG3 Galvanizers Yard in Glasgow on 15 August. A “triumphant” London date is also expected to be added.

A pre-sale mailer is set to go out to fans today (Tuesday, 24 October 2023) at 6pm, with a special Loyle Carner fan pre-sale window via the mailing list going on sale on Wednesday, 25 October at 10am.

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As for general sale tickets, they won’t go live until 10am on Friday, 27 October, so you’ve got plenty of time to prepare, line up multiple devices and get your friends logging on to help as well. What are friends for? You can grab yours HERE.

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The list of shows at Castlefield Bowl in 2024 is already shaping up to be a scorcher with several big names to play the legendary outdoor gig venues next summer.

With the Sounds of the City festival undoubtedly being one of the biggest highlights in Manchester’s live music season, another popular Brit is joining the party as indie-pop artist Tom Grennan was recently announced as the latest act on next year’s lineup.

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It’s going to be a good year.

Tom Grennan confirmed as latest Castlefield Bowl act for Sounds of the City 2024

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

Featured Image — Supplied/@ddddiogo (via Instagram)

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Co-op Live boss issues statement as troubled Manchester venue takes ‘a short pause’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The boss of Co-op Live has issued a statement after the venue was hit with further delays. Credit: The Manc Group

The top dog at Co-op Live has issued a statement addressing the immediate future of the venue, which last night announced more high-profile event changes.

The enormous new arena out by the Etihad Stadium confirmed that Take That – who were lined up to play a whopping SEVEN shows at Co-op Live – would be moving their five May gigs across to established venue the AO Arena.

It follows the postponement of Olivia Rodrigo (Friday and Saturday), Keane (Sunday) and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (called off on Wednesday with fans already queueing outside) – not to mention Peter Kay and The Black Keys.

The Co-op Live has now said it will be taking ‘a short pause’ from events while it works to make the state-of-the-art space safe and secure for fans and artists.

Details of all the rescheduled shows, new dates and venue changes are towards the end of this article.

An independent inspection of the arena ceiling will be taking place in the next fortnight.

Earlier this week, part of an air conditioning unit fell from the ductwork in the ceiling of the bowl during A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s soundcheck, thankfully before any fans had entered the building.

The venue has apologised again, saying ‘we are aware our actions have frustrated and angered ticket holders’.

Take That is one of the acts affected by Co-op Live's delayed opening
Take That is one of the acts affected by Co-op Live’s delayed opening
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig from Co-op Live to AO Arena after cancellation
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig from Co-op Live to AO Arena after cancellation

In a statement it also said that the ‘significant impact’ on fans would be addressed and recognised, at the request of naming rights partner The Co-op Group – details on what that will look like will follow.

Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group (which owns and operates Co-op Live), has now also released a statement offering his ‘sincere apologies’.

He said: “As many of you will know, it’s not been the smooth start we had planned for, and I know that has caused a huge amount of disruption and frustration to thousands of people.

“On behalf of all of us at Oak View Group, I’d like to express my sincere apologies to all those that have been affected. We understand that there is work to be done to rebuild your trust in us.

“This starts now and at the request of the naming rights partner, The Co-op Group, we will be addressing impact on affected ticket holders, details of which will be shared soon.

“I’d like to reiterate my sincerest apologies to everyone that has been affected by the delays around the opening of Co-op Live.

“The team here is working incredibly hard to get the building up and running, and we look forward to welcoming you to the arena from 14 May 2024.”

Co-op Live’s full statement reads: “Ticket holders and fans. Following the events that led to the cancelled A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show on 1 May, we have decided to take a short pause to events at Co-op Live to fully ensure the safety and security of fans and artists visiting the venue.

“This time will allow for an independent inspection of all elements of the arena ceiling.

“We have worked with promoters to limit the impact on fans, keeping as many shows as possible in Manchester.”

As for the rest of Co-op Live’s opening gig programme (the next scheduled show is Elbow on 14 May), it continued: “At this time, we do not expect further impact on our opening season.

“We are aware our actions have frustrated and angered ticket holders.

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“We know you’ve incurred significant disruption, and are finding a way to help make it right.

“We are taking the pause to think about the best ways to do that.

“Our naming rights partner, the Co-op Group, has also expressed the importance of ensuring that the significant impact on ticketholders is recognised and addressed, with more detail to follow soon.”

New dates and venue changes for Co-op Live’s rescheduled gigs

  • 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 4 May and venue change to AO Arena.
  • Olivia Rodrigo – original dates 3 and 4 May – new dates to be announced.
  • Keane – original date 5 May – new dates to be announced.
  • Take That – original dates 7, 10, 11, 12 May – venue change to AO Arena.
  • Take That – original date 8 May – new date 9 May and venue change to AO Arena.

Take That’s June dates remain unaffected.

Ticket holders for each event will be contacted by their point of purchase, and refunds will be available if preferred.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Manchester’s AO Arena scoops up Take That gigs 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 rescheduled too.

First it was announced earlier today that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie would be moving to the AO Arena, and now Take That’s five-night run that was set for the Co-op Live this May has also had a venue change.

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 beyond our control’.

Take That’s full statement reads: “Given the ongoing technical issues around the opening of Co-Op Live we have taken the difficult decision to move our May shows to the AO Arena where we have enjoyed many great nights over the years.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we wanted to give our fans as much notice as possible.

“We’re mindful many of you will already have travel and accommodation plans in place, so we have chosen this option to minimise inconvenience to as many people as possible. Our dates in June in Manchester remain unaffected.

“All bookings will be transferred to the new venue as below and, except for Wednesday 8th May, we are pleased to say that all the dates remain the same.”

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 A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Take That instead.

It’s an interesting twist when so many people having been pitting the two venues against one another over the last weeks and months.

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

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