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Manchester’s huge £365m Co-op Live arena reveals new opening date

The countdown is on.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 5th June 2023

The Co-op Live arena has confirmed its new opening date, with the doors to the enormous £365m music venue opening next year.

The huge new venue for Manchester is backed by Harry Styles, and will have the world’s largest floor space of any indoor arena when it opens.

Its total capacity will be 23,500 gig-goers, with an innovative music-first design as well as 32 bars, restaurants, and lounges around the site.

The Co-op Live arena is now to set to open in April 2024, a slightly later date than its previously planned opening at the end of this year.

The shape of the enormous structure has taken shape in the north of the city, close to Manchester City‘s home ground at the Etihad Stadium.

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Co-op Live is the first of its kind to be built with concert acoustics as a priority.

The smart bowl at Co-op Live arena. Credit: Supplied
The Co-op Live’s atrium. Credit: Supplied

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.

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A spokesperson for the venue said: “This morning I am happy to reveal that Co-op Live will be opening our doors to fans in April 2024.

“It’s huge kudos to BAM, and the dozens of local subcontractors working on the project, that we are well within our original timeframe and on-budget given the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, supply chain shortages, and an energy crisis. 

“We’re proud to be on the home stretch to delivering  Co-op Live and we can’t wait to invite fans in to experience the biggest and most sustainable arena in the UK.”

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Featured image: Co-op Live

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Fontaines D.C. announce massive gig at Manchester’s Aviva Studios as part of UK tour

Danny Jones Danny Jones Fontaines D.C Manchester tickets Aviva Studios

Irish post-punk pioneers Fontaines D.C. have just announced a brand new UK and Ireland tour ahead of their new album later this year and leading new arts and live entertainment venue, Aviva Studios, has been selected for their massive Manchester date.

The Dublin powerhouses have emerged as one of the most exciting acts on the planet for our money, combining everything from new wave, alternative and often grungey guitars, to more classic rock and even indie sounds, making them one of the most instantly recognisable sounds on the modern scene.

With all that being said, we cannot wait for their return to Manchester and what will no doubt be one of the biggest and best gigs Aviva Studios has seen yet.

Fontaines D.C. roll up to 0161 in Fall 2024 and they’ll have a brand new album under their belt to boot.

Fontaines D.C. return to Manchester for the first time since 2022.

Home to Factory International, which kicked off an incredible debut calendar of cultural events last year, Aviva Studios is already proving to be an impressive addition to the Manc skyline, especially now it’s coaxing names like Fontaines D.C. to come and perform there over other gig spaces.

Tipped to generate over a £1 billion in revenue for the local economy over the next decade, the importance of this new state-of-the-art venue is hard to overstate.

As for the band themselves, they dropped the lead single entitled ‘Starburster’ this week and it proved to be quite the sea change for often fast, frantic and no-nonsense five-piece. If you haven’t heard it yet, strap in and get ready to be over-exhaling out loud non-stop for the next hour – you’ll see what we mean.

With their fourth record Romance set to release on 23 August, we think it’s fair to say this new record – the first with new producer James Ford (Blur, Arctic Monkeys) – is off to a much more experimental start than their heavily acclaimed 2019 debut, Dogrel.

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Set to take the stage in Aviva Studios’ Warehouse space on Friday, 29 November, Fontaines’ Manchester date is part of a new run of shows announced as part of their full European which kicks off in June.

Heading back from the continent in August and starting off the UK leg in Wolverhampton on 20 November, it’ll be a fast and furious nine-show run culminating with a homecoming concert in Dublin.

Tickets for all headline dates go on general sale at 10am next Friday, 26 April and for first access to presale, fans can pre-order the album by 3pm on 23 April.

You can grab your tickets HERE.

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

Featured Images — Press Images/Aviva Studios

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Masked Manchester rapper Meekz bursts back with surprise gig in Piccadilly Gardens with JD

Charlie Watkinson Charlie Watkinson Masked Manchester rapper Meeks performed a surprise gig in Piccadilly Gardens

Local rap sensation Meekz is back, if you hadn’t noticed – he burst back onto the scene last week with a surprise gig with JD in Piccadilly Gardens.

The masked Manchester rapper is celebrating the release of his latest single Mini Me’s – and a handful of Mini Meekz posters appeared around town, pasted there by artist collective Pattern Up (then swiftly removed) last week.

Meekz continues to impress with his latest release, a track that’s quickly gaining popularity.

True to form, Meekz delivers not only sonically but visually, teaming up once again with KC Locke to create a stunning music video.

Their collaboration underscores the significance of music videos, reaffirming their lasting impact in the industry.

The video pays homage to their previous work, particularly ‘Like Me’, while also pushing boundaries with a post-apocalyptic CGI rendition of Manchester, reminiscent of scenes from GTA and Marvel movies.

This innovative approach demonstrates the remarkable synergy between Meekz and KC Locke, marking a new pinnacle in their collaborative efforts.

Following the premiere, Meekz treated fans to a memorable performance in Piccadilly Gardens, organised with JD, where he made a grand entrance by gifting miniature Air Max 95’s to his fans before taking the stage atop a large storage container.

Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
Mini Meekz posters briefly popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu

I had the opportunity to speak with Meekz after the premiere, where he shared insights into his upcoming tape, ‘Tru’, slated for release on 24 May.

Additionally, he hinted at exclusive news related to GTA/GTA 6, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his future endeavours.

It’s clear that Meekz continues to innovate and redefine the game with each new project, and we’re excited to see what he has in store next.

KC Locke said: “In the time that the mainstream media is writing articles about the decline of the music video industry, swords and eagles are here to make a stand and show not only are music videos here to stay but they are more important than ever.

“This is a testament to community, bound by a shared vision, we rise and rise again, together, for the culture.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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