Organisers at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester have told frustrated fans that they are now “finding a way to help make it right” following show cancellations.
After months of planning, the live venue – which has a capacity of 23,500 and will be the biggest arena in the UK – was supposed to open with comedian Peter Kay on April 23 and 24. However, following a test event featuring Rick Astley on April 22, his gigs were pushed back to the end of April with the venue citing technical issues.
Later, a gig from The Black Keys that was scheduled for April 27 had to be moved to May 15, and the Peter Kay shows were moved for the second time. They are now expected to be held on May 23 and 24. Following the second postponement, Kay shared a statement with fans, explaining that he was left “disappointed” by the news.
Initially, organisers ensured those with tickets that all other shows scheduled for the new venue would be going ahead as planned. However, they announced on Wednesday (May 1) that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie‘s show was cancelled following a “venue-related technical issue”. Shortly afterwards, they also axed Olivia Rodrigo’s upcoming gigs – which left her “so disappointed” – as well as shows by Keane and Take That, with the latter relocating their dates to the rival AO Arena.
Following the chaos, Co-Op Live addressed these cancellations in a formal statement and explained that the decisions were made to secure the safety of concertgoers. They also added that the time they have gained from the postponements would “allow for an independent inspection of all elements of the arena ceiling”.
Co-op Live on April 20, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Co-op Live)
A spokesperson for the Co-Op group later clarified that they “do not own or run” the Co-Op Live Arena and share the same feeling of “disappointment” at the opening problems.
Now, organisers are the venue have apologised to fans, and ensured those left frustrated by the turmoil that they are currently “finding a way to help make it right”.
“We are aware our actions have frustrated and angered ticket holders,” read a statement from the arena last night (May 2). “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.”
It added: “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.”
A similar sentiment was expressed by Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group, Tim Leiweke, last night. He stated that those behind the postponements were looking into the toll it has had on disappointed ticketholders.
“We understand that there is work to be done to rebuild your trust in us,” Leiweke began. “This starts now and at the request of the naming rights partner, The Co-op Group, we will be addressing the impact on affected ticket holders, details of which will be shared soon.”
AN IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM OAK VIEW GROUP pic.twitter.com/tSfdS75ucF
— Co-op Live (@TheCoopLive) May 2, 2024
Following the slew of issues facing the arena, music lovers have come forward to express their frustration at the postponements, and branded the venue as “Manchester’s own Fyre Festival”.
“We travelled like two hours… it’s just poor, if you’re gonna cancel it, cancel beforehand, so we don’t spend money on getting here,” one fan told NME. “There’s thousands of people stood outside and you cancel it half an hour after the doors were meant to be open?” added her friend. “It’s stupid.”
Another said she was left abandoned after her mother had dropped her off and drove back home, the original plan being for someone else to pick her up after 11. “It’s a two-hour drive,” she explained. “There’s nowhere for me to go.”
Since then, more have taken to social media to share in the frustration. “Co-op live is an actual fucking joke, imagine letting that many people spend money on transport and hotels for what?? Scammers and thieves whoever’s in charge,” one wrote on X/Twitter.
Another added “Co-Op Live in Manchester is an absolute fuck fest and an embarrassment. All the people that have booked hotels etc for their concert and they go and cancel it within in the same week or on the same day. I wouldn’t be shocked if they cancel my Killers concert in June,” while a third shared: “This is getting ridiculous. Close it. Cancel the opening shows. Get it ready. Don’t cancel a show when people are queuing up outside!!! I’d be furious.”
Co-op live is an actual fucking joke, imagine letting that many people spend money on transport and hotels for what?? Scammers and thieves whoever’s in charge
— katie rose✨ (@gxlddustwoman) May 1, 2024
Co-Op Live in Manchester is an absolute fuck fest and an embarrassment. All the people that have booked hotels etc for their concert and they go and cancel it within in the same week or on the same day. I wouldn’t be shocked if they cancel my Killers concert in June, ON day. Joke
— Haydn Wilcox-Hall (@mymatehaydn) May 1, 2024
This is getting ridiculous. Close it. Cancel the opening shows. Get it ready. Don’t cancel a show when people are queuing up outside!!! I’d be furious. What a joke. PR disaster.
Co-op Live: Troubled venue cancels debut show for third time https://t.co/jqv5V0wNQD
— Luke ✨ (@lkwrnr) May 1, 2024
Initially, organisers insisted they were “not embarrassed” by the postponements, and instead focused on getting the venue up to scratch. However, just days later, news broke that Gary Roden, the boss of the new arena, had resigned amid the controversy.
Ahead of his resignation, Roden had come under fire for his comments about grassroots music venues, in which he argued that some smaller venues in the UK are “poorly run” and dismissed calls for a £1 ticket levy on all gigs arena-sized and above.
In response, Mark Davyd, CEO of the Music Venue Trust, told NME that he believed Roden’s comments were “disrespectful and disingenuous”, while also highlighting the irony of making such “ill-judged, unnecessary and misleading” remarks on the week that his venue was forced to postpone its launch, due to a number of logistical problems.
Since then, the Music Venue Trust (MVT) has said the new Co-Op Live Arena is “a great idea” but has urged bosses to “work in a way that secures the future of live music”.
Despite the ongoing issues at the Co-Op Live Arena, its owners are planning to build “the greatest arena in the world” in London. It comes after some historic grassroots venues have been forced to close down, with many still under threat of permanent closure.
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