Audio
Sam Fender double-header at Co-op Live – stage times, supports, setlist and everything you need to know
Is this the biggest headline gig of the year? It just might be.
Danny Jones -
5th December 2024 
It’s here, it’s finally here – it’s time for arguably one of the biggest gigs of the year: Sam Fender playing two utterly massive nights at Co-op Live.
Everyone’s favourite Geordie songwriter is heading to the state-of-the-art entertainment arena for the very first time this weekend for what is set to be a blockbuster double-header.
Revealing the short run of winter shows along with the announcement of his new album People Watching back in October, we didn’t expect to get a UK tour so soon but here we are and let’s just say we’re absolutely buzzing.
You already know the drill with these things, so let’s not waste your time.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sam Fender’s return to Manchester and Co-op Live debut.
Sam Fender at Co-op Live – all the important info
Tickets – all hope’s not lost
Ok, no point in tormenting ourselves with this one, we all know that tickets for the last chance to see Sam Fender this year sold out pretty much all over the country.
In fact, to put things into context, all three of his Newcastle stadium shows at St James’ Park sold out in less than half an hour. Yeah, the UK loves this man. So, it will come as no surprise for you to hear that both dates here in Manchester are virtually all but gone. Almost…
Yes, perhaps down to some of the flak the 30-year-old has gained for the cost of these shows, there is still a decent handful of resale tickets for both the Friday (6 December) and the Saturday (7 Dec), so you don’t need to scramble around on other reseller sites. Seated starts from £54.95 but no standing.
If you have the spends before Christmas, you can grab yours HERE.
Who is supporting Sam Fender?
Now this is one we’re super excited about. If you’ve been keeping any sort of tabs on our music coverage over the past year or so, you may or may not have picked up on our very serious obsessions with a little band called Wunderhorse. Not that they’ll be staying ‘little’ for much longer, mind.
The Cambridge-formed four-piece are up there with the best bands coming out of the UK and Ireland right now, behind the likes of Fontaines D.C. and ‘r Sam, of course. We’ve seen them multiple times this year and will be doing so again if we can grab some last-minute spares for their May shows.
We even had the pleasure of chatting with frontman Jacob Slater about the release of their sensational sophomore album, Midas, back in August. They supported Sam back in 2022 when we first saw them and they’ve only got more incredible since then; trust us, you’re in for an incredible time.
@the.manc Please just take us back to 19/10/2024 when @Wunderhorse took the absolute roof off Manchester Academy 😫 ‘Teal’ really has captured the minds of a generation. 🤘 📹: wunderhorse HQ (via X) @Wunderhorse Mania #gigs #jacobslater #wunderhorse #teal #manchestergigs #rock #postpunk #indie #livemusic ♬ original sound – The Manc
Sam Fender stage times for Co-op Live, Manchester
Now, as for when you can expect these two to take the stage on Friday and Saturday, respectively, doors to the Co-op Live arena will be open from 6:30pm and Wunderhorse should start around 7:45pm.
The warm-ups will be playing eight songs and finishing with ‘Teal’ and ‘July’ to get the crowd’s energy nice and high by the end of their roughly 45-minute set.
This should give you a half-hour window to nip to the loo, grab your next pint or just mentally prepare for the main event at 9pm, with Sam Fender’s performance due to conclude around 10:40pm.
Setlist
Moving on to what you’ll be hearing on the night, we’ve heard plenty of grumbles about the length of the setlist – suppose it comes down to personal preference – but it does look like he’s at least listened to the fans and added ‘The Dying Light’ straight back into the running order after leaving it out it in Dublin.
Wise choice, Sam.
- The Kitchen
- Getting Started
- The Borders
- Wild Long Lie
- All Is on My Side
- Nostalgia’s Lie
- Arm’s Length
- Will We Talk?
- People Watching
- Spice
- Howdon Aldi Death Queue
- Get You Down
- Spit of You
- The Dying Light
- Seventeen Going Under
What do you think, is 15 songs (less than his last headline tour) worth the money?
Encore
- Hypersonic Missiles
We can also vouch for these as our Audio North delegation over at The Hoot were there in the flesh in Leeds and had an absolute blast.
You can read their review of Sam Fender at the First Direct in Leeds HERE.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, luckily it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
If you want to take another new and improved arm of Manchester’s public transport system, not only is there a whole host of routes that drop you off close to the venue but there’ll also be a free shuttle bus from the city centre to and from events between 20 April-30 June 2024.
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue but this must be pre-booked ahead of time and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day – though estimates will obviously vary:
- Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
- Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
- Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
- Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
- Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
- Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the boke all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Read more:
- Factory Sounds funding programme returns to help Greater Manchester’s music scene
- Pierce the Veil are bringing their massive world tour to Manchester’s Co-op Live
- Iggy Pop announces landmark gig in Manchester next year
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)
