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

There are some big shows next week.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 2nd May 2024

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.

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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.

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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).

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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…

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  • 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.

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“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.

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“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

News

Salford Red Devils granted another adjournment over unpaid debts

Danny Jones Danny Jones Salford Red Devils given 2 more weeks by HMRC unpaid debts

Salford Red Devils have been given one more adjournment and yet another stay of execution, being given another two weeks to find the money to cover their unpaid debts.

The local rugby league side, which has been wrapped in all manner of struggles both on and off-pitch over the past year or so, reportedly needs to pay around £700,000 to HMRC alone and still owes roughly £5 million in total to various creditors.

Earlier this month, the Red Devils were officially relegated from the Betfred Super League, leaving Salford supporters not only even more furious but also dropped by the top tier themselves, despite having one of the best fan bases in the country.

To no surprise, regular matchgoers, neutrals and even rivals alike have expressed their continued disappointment with the club, mainly at the lack of transparency and clarity from the organisation throughout this long, drawn-out process.

Updating fans on social media, this is all the information they have communicated at this time: “Salford Red Devils can confirm that HMRC have granted the club a two-week adjournment, providing additional time in which to secure the necessary funds.

“We would like to reassure supporters that we are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a positive resolution. Further updates will be shared as soon as possible.”

It’s worth noting that the current owners have reiterated that they inheited around £3m in existing debt before they took over the club, but assurances over their own investments have still come to nothing; meanwhile, with many still waiting on wages, players and staff alike have now left.

Having been propped up by loan players and emergency loans, the team is now closer to a skeleton crew than it is an outfit capable of competing in the premier division.

Either way, the outrage remains and is only growing stronger. One user wrote on X: “A good approach by them if they was legit would be to engage and bring in The 1873 to bridge the communication black hole (they created).

“The problem with that is if they did it would expose them for what they are… Extortionists using the club as a vehicle.”

More alarm bells were raised recently when assistant coach and Krisnan Inu – who was also director of the company set up to take over the business – withdrew himself from a key position behind the scenes.

Eyebrows raised as key coach and director of the company set up to buy Salford Red Devils resigns

Speaking of The 1873, the outspoken supporters trust took no time at all in issuing a response of their own, adding: “The judge presiding over today’s case has adjourned by 14 days. This adjournment has dragged the uncertainty on even longer.

“Every delay makes planning for 2026 harder and keeps the club stuck in limbo when it desperately needs clarity and direction.

“The fans, the players and the future all deserve better — The 1873.”

You can see the rest of their statement in full down below, but for now, what do you make of this seemingly neverending saga, Salfordians?

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Featured Images — Anthony Parkes (via Geograph)

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‘Christmas chaos’ on the cards as Manchester tram drivers vote on staging strike action next month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant A Metrolink tram in Manchester city centre

There could be major disruption to festive travel in Greater Manchester next month, as hundreds of tram drivers are currently voting on whether to strike.

Almost 320 tram drivers are being balloted over working conditions and fears around fatigue.

The drivers – who are members of the union, Unite – all work for KeolisAmey Metrolink Limited at the Warwick Road South and Queens Road depots in Manchester – and they operate trams on all routes in Greater Manchester.

As it stands, the drivers’ shift patterns currently mean they have to work 450 hours over a 12-week period, which results in some having to work 50 hours on, followed by just two days off, then back into another 50-hour work pattern.

Drivers also have fewer rest days compared to all other operational departments, and this is said to be causing safety concerns around fatigue.

‘Christmas chaos’ is on the cards as Manchester tram drivers are currently voting on staging strike action next month / Credit: TfGM

Drivers say they concerned about operating heavy vehicles while exhausted and unable to have proper breaks, but after raising the issue with management, Unite has been told there is ‘no funding available’ to support any ‘meaningful’ improvements to working patterns.

Instead, management has asked drivers to start work earlier – which Unite says is only ‘adding insult to injury’.

The ballot is set to close on 11 November, and if drivers vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could then begin in late November, causing widespread cancellations and delays throughout the region during the busy festive shopping period – particularly coinciding with Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets, known for attracting millions of visitors to the city each year.

“Any strike action will cause a great deal of disruption but it is entirely the fault of Metrolink, which is not taking the issue of driver fatigue seriously,” commented Unite Regional Officer, Colin Hayden.

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“It is dangerous for fatigued workers to be driving trams and they should not be put in this situation.

“We are demanding that Metrolink and Transport for Greater Manchester work with Unite to find a solution to this problem to avoid industrial action.”

Featured Image – Janus Boye

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