Co-op Live boss says 'nobody will remember' delays in next 30 years - and why moving Liam Gallagher gigs wasn't an option

John Robb has spoken to NME about his spoken word tour, being the first person to interview Nirvana, the infamous Oasis vs Cable fight, and his ongoing belief in new music.Robb is an author, journalist and member of punk legends Goldblade and The Membranes. Starting out in zines, he went on to write for the likes of ZigZag, Melody Maker, Sounds and The Guardian among others.

A once-buzzing Scottish nightclub that hosted the likes of Kylie Minogue and other music legends is now nothing more than an empty shell.

Manchester business leaders have said that 'prestige and hype created around Co-op Live being the largest indoor venue in the UK has no doubt added pressure on the venue owners to get things rolling'.

Liam Gallagher has said he'll play a gig at Lidl in June if the new crisis-hit Coop Live cannot host him - and the supermarket has accepted.

Liam Gallagher has offered to perform in a Lidl if the new Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester isn’t “sorted” in time for his ‘Definitely Maybe’ anniversary tour.The troubled venue became the subject of renewed controversy when they cancelled A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie‘s gig last night (May 1) just 10 minutes after doors opened due to a “venue-related technical issue”. This was later revealed to be caused by part of an air conditioning unit falling from the gantry inside the venue during soundcheck.Later that evening, the venue confirmed Olivia Rodrigo’s shows on Friday and Saturday (May 3-4) would also be postponed, which the artist said she was “so disappointed” about.Gallagher is scheduled to perform at Co-Op Live on June 15-16 and 27-28.

A Boogie Wit da Hoodie has announced that he will perform at the AO Arena on Saturday night (May 4) following the last-minute cancellation of his original gig at Co-op Live.

A support network run by survivors of the Manchester Arena attack have urged Co-op Live bosses to postpone concerts until the building is fully ready.

stand-up performances from Peter Kay on April 23 and 24. Following a test event with Rick Astley, however, the comedian’s gigs were postponed until April 29 and 30 due to a failed power test.A Black Keys gig that was scheduled for April 27 later had to be pushed back to May 15, and the Kay dates were delayed for the second time.Last night (May 1), A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s concert was cancelled at the last minute because of a “venue-related technical issue” before it was confirmed that Olivia Rodrigo’s shows at the Co-Op Live this Friday and Saturday (May 3, 4) had been postponed.

Olivia Rodrigo has spoken out about her upcoming shows at Manchester’s Co-Op Live being postponed at the last minute, saying that she is “so disappointed” by the news.The pop star was set to perform at the new arena in Manchester tomorrow night (May 3) and Saturday (4) as part of her ongoing ‘GUTS World Tour’.However, just two days before the shows were set to go ahead, an update was shared from the venue organisers, confirming that the dates had been pushed back due to ongoing technical issues at the arena.It marked the latest in a series of shows that have been delayed due to ongoing issues with the opening week for Co-Op Live. Originally, the 23,500-capacity arena, located opposite the Etihad Stadium, was supposed to open with performances from Peter Kay on April 23 and 24.

Olivia Rodrigo had some bad news for her fans on Wednesday (May 1).

Olivia Rodrigo’s shows on Friday and Saturday (May 3-4) following a “venue-related technical issue” that forced them to cancel A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie‘s show tonight.The venue announced just 10 minutes after doors had opened tonight that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s show could no longer go ahead due to technical problems. “We kindly ask fans to leave the area.

Peter Kay's fans have been hit with more disappointment as the comedian's shows at Manchester's Co-Op Live have been postponed for a second time.

Peter Kay and The Black Keys being forced to postpone their shows.The 23,500-capacity venue, which is now the largest arena in the UK, has faced numerous rows, controversy and teething problems in the run-up to its official launch.It was supposed to open with performances from Peter Kay on April 23 and 24, However, following a test gig featuring Rick Astley at the weekend, the shows were moved to April 29 and 30 due to the venue’s power testing falling “a few days” behind schedule.Now, it has been confirmed that the upcoming gig from The Black Keys – set for tomorrow (April 27) – has also been postponed at the last minute, and the rescheduled shows by Peter Kay will be moved once again.“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,” read a new statement from the venue.It added that The Black Keys will now perform on May 15, and Peter Kay will now perform on May 23 and 24.

Éric Cantona has spoken to NME about his debut live album, ‘Cantona Sings Eric’, working with Liam Gallagher and their subsequent friendship, as well as his hopes to one day perform at Glastonbury festival.The football legend’s post-retirement career has included forays into acting, art, modelling and, most recently, music. ‘Cantona Sings Eric’, released on March 29, followed debut EP ‘I’ll Make My Own Heaven’ – and was recorded during his first ever European tour at the end of 2023.

The man behind Co-op Live has revealed exactly why the opening of Manchester's new arena has been delayed again. In an exclusive interview with the Manchester Evening News, Tim Leiweke explained why the £365m venue has pushed back Peter Kay's two performances for a second time and rescheduled The Black Keys' show tomorrow (April 27).

Manchester's brand new Co-Op Live arena has dramatically pulled MORE shows at the last minute amid news that the building is not yet ready to fully open. Peter Kay's gigs had already been rescheduled, but now they've been moved again to May 23 and 24.

performances from Peter Kay on April 23 and 24 but following a test gig featuring Rick Astley at the weekend, the shows were moved to April 29 and 30 due to the venue’s power testing falling “a few days” behind schedule.Organisers insisted they were “not embarrassed” by the postponements, saying they were now focused on “ensuring a consistent total power supply”.In an appearance on BBC North West Tonight, Managing Director Tim Leiweke echoed that sentiment (via Manchester Evening News). “I think it’s a source of commitment to safety and expectations and trying to make sure that when people come in the building we do it right.

recent gig postponements, and instead “focusing on ensuring a consistent total power supply”.The new venue, which is the UK’s largest indoor arena, is located opposite Manchester’s Etihad Stadium, and features a “unique bowl design” that will bring fans “closer to the artist than at other arenas of equivalent size”, according to a spokesperson.It was set to launch this week, with Bolton comedian Peter Kay scheduled to perform yesterday (April 23) and today (April 24). However, following a test gig featuring Rick Astley over the weekend, it was later decided that the dates would be moved to next Monday (April 29) and Tuesday (30) due to the venue’s power testing falling “a few days” behind schedule.“Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay,” the venue said in a statement.

Police and fire chiefs have remained silent on why they raised safety concerns about Manchester's new Co-op Live arena before venue bosses were forced to postpone Peter Kay's two launch gigs.

Their whirlwind romance has captured public imagination - and now boxer Ricky "Hitman" Hatton and Corrie star Claire Sweeney have stepped out on the red carpet together for the first time.