SZA is soon set to touch-down on UK soil, and she’s coming to visit us here in Manchester for the first stop on her major tour.
It’s been a good few years since SZA’s hit the road, but 2023 is the year that sees the powerhouse US singer-songwriter – real name Solána Imani Rowe – head out on tour to celebrate her second studio album, SOS, which was released to critical acclaim last December, and shot to the top of the albums chart in America and reached number two here in the UK.
It came five years after the release of her debut album Ctrl, which went on to sell over five million copies worldwide.
As well as selling millions of records, and claiming her first number one single with ‘Kill Bill’ earlier this year, SZA has also scooped up masses of awards – including a Grammy, two MTV VMAs, and two Billboard Music Awards, as well as an Oscar nomination for ‘All The Stars’ with Kendrick Lamar.
Not only is SZA one of the most respected artists among her peers, and one of the most loved by critics within the music industry, but she also has a loyal fan base supporting her every step of the way, and tens of thousands of those fans will get to see her sing the hits live as she takes to the stage here in Manchester.
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Heading to see SZA at the AO Arena? Here’s everything you need to know.
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When is SZA playing in Manchester?
Manchester is just one of three UK cities that SZA has chosen for the European leg of her S.O.S tour – with the singer also set to perform up in the Scottish capital of Glasgow later this week, before performing two night’s at London’s O2 Arena shortly after.
She will take to the stage here in Manchester on Tuesday 13 June.
With the AO Arena having a maximum gig capacity of 21,000, fans in their thousands are expected to travel to our city from far and wide to see SZA in a rare live UK appearance.
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Are there any tickets still available?
Given that SZA isn’t known for heading out on tour very often, especially not here in the UK, tickets to see her in Manchester were in pretty high demand when they first went on sale back in April – but now, it does seem like there are some still available if you’re looking to grab yourself one.
At the time of writing, a quick search on Ticketmaster shows both standing and seating tickets available, however they are a little pricer than when they first went on sale – with seated tickets starting at £98, and floor standing at £181.
As always, if you try to buy tickets second-hand, please make sure you’re using a reputable resale site so you don’t get caught out by scammers.
Who is supporting SZA in Manchester?
If getting to see SZA live wasn’t enough, fans who head to the AO Arena a little earlier are also in for a real treat when it comes to the support act, as one of the UK’s fastest-rising music names is also taking to the stage in Manchester.
Raye will be supporting SZA in Manchester / Credit: Publicity picture
Raye
Raye – real name Rachael Keen – is a British singer-songwriter who initially rose to prominence after being featured on a number of commercially-successful singles, including ‘By Your Side’, ‘You Don’t Know Me’, ‘Secrets’, and ‘Bed’ – but in 2022, she decided to step out on her own to properly make a name for herself.
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The 25-year-old received further recognition as a solo artist after her single ‘Escapism’ reached the top of the UK Singles Chart, and also became her first song to chart in the US.
She released her debut studio album, My 21st Century Blues, to critical acclaim back in February.
What’s the potential setlist?
We all know artists tend to switch up their setlists from gig to gig and throw in a few surprises here and there, depending on the energy of the crowd and what they’re feeling that night, but it does seem like SZA has roughly been following a particular order of songs since her 2023 European tour began earlier this month.
SZA released her second album, SOS, in December 2022 / Credit: Publicity picture
Stage Times
Although everything is subject to change, and it’s always best to keep your eye on the venue’s official messaging on the day of the event to get the latest stage times, the AO Arena has confirmed that doors will be opening at 6pm for the SZA gig on Tuesday 13 June.
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Raye is expected to perform from 7:30pm, before a short interval follows, and SZA then takes to the stage any time before 9pm.
In a statement shared today, the Co-op Live said it has been ‘undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans’.
It said that the shows are being rescheduled to ensure they can ‘run safely’.
The 23,500-capacity arena said this will give them ‘the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly’.
The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May, and Peter Kay on 23 and 24 May.
As for the Bolton-born comedian, he sounds somewhat in disbelief himself:
My apologies once again but unfortunately the Co-op Live still isn’t ready and so, as yet, remains untested for a large-scale audience. Consequently, they are having to reschedule my two shows yet again (I know I can’t believe it either).
Co-op Live’s statement reads: “Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co-op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans.
“To ensure that we can run all shows safely, regretfully we have now had to take the decision to reschedule the planned The Black Keys and Peter Kay shows.
“Both The Black Keys and Peter Kay have graciously agreed to reschedule their shows. The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May 2024, and Peter Kay will now perform on 23 and 24 May 2024.
“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend.
“We deeply appreciate the impact this will have on excited fans, and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause.
“Rescheduling Peter Kay and The Black Keys will give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.
“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.”
Co-op Live boss resigns just days before venue’s official opening
Daisy Jackson
The boss of Co-op Live, Manchester’s enormous, ground-breaking new arena, has resigned from his position just days before the venue is set to open.
The enormous music-first arena has been taking shape beside the Etihad Stadium for several years, and was due to welcome its first official audiences this week, but has been hit with last-minute challenges.
And now Co-op Live‘s boss Gary Roden has quit the mammoth project, with the news of his resignation announced late Thursday evening.
Oak View Group, which Co-op Live is part of, said in a statement that they would like to ‘thank Gary for his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans’.
Stepping into his shoes as interim general manager will be Rebecca Kane Burton, who previously ran the U.K.’s highest-grossing venue, London’s The O2 arena.
Gary has previously come under fire for saying that some grassroots music venues ‘poorly run’ – a statement that OVG has now distanced itself from.
A separate statement said that ‘neither Co-op Live nor Oak View Group share the sentiment expressed by former Co-op Live General Manager Gary Roden regarding the grassroots industry’.
It continued: “As OVG Chairman and CEO Tim Leiweke has repeatedly stated, Co-op Live remains committed to grassroots music in Manchester and beyond, including teaming up with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham on the Artist of the Month campaign, and as a founding partner of Beyond The Music.
“Co-op Live also donates over £1m a year to the Co-op Foundation to support communities and empower young people to take social action through its new Young Gamechangers fund.
“Oak View Group and Co-op Live remain happy to meet with grassroots organisations once the venue is fully operational.”
Co-op Live boss Gary Roden speaking at the launch of Co-op Live just days before he resigned. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Co-op Live in Manchester
The news of the venue’s boss stepping down comes at a time when all eyes are on Co-op Live, the opening of which has been delayed.
The venue did host a test event with Rick Astley last weekend, but even that faced difficulties, with thousands of tickets cancelled to reduce capacity just hours before showtime.
It’s now set to officially open this Saturday 27 April with a performance by rock group The Black Keys.
The full statement from OVG about Gary’s resignation said: “Gary Roden has decided to resign. We’d like to thank Gary for his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans and wish him the best for the future.
“Rebecca Kane Burton has been named Interim GM, effective today. Rebecca is a seasoned veteran of venue management and live entertainment in the UK having served as VP/GM of The O2 from 2012-2016 and CEO of LW Theatres from 2016-2021.
Emily Sergeant -
11th June 2023 
