The Manchester Co-op Live Arena, a state-of-the-art venue and the UK’s largest indoor arena, has faced numerous setbacks since its planned opening in April 2024. Initially, comedian Peter Kay was set to inaugurate the arena with performances on April 23 and 24, but these were postponed twice due to the venue being unprepared. The Black Keys, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and Olivia Rodrigo also had to reschedule their shows due to ongoing technical issues.
A critical incident occurred during A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s soundcheck when a component of the HVAC system separated from the ductwork, raising safety concerns. Consequently, the venue’s management decided to postpone all upcoming events until thorough safety checks could be completed. This issue was compounded by power supply problems and the need for enhanced emergency communication testing, leading to further delays.
Adding to the turmoil, the arena’s general manager, Gary Roden, resigned following backlash over his comments on grassroots music venues. Rebecca Kane Burton was appointed as the interim GM to steer the venue through its challenges. Despite these hurdles, the arena successfully hosted a test event with Rick Astley and eventually opened its doors with Manchester band Elbow as the first headliners on
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