Manchester’s Co-Op Live Arena has been plagued by issues from its testing to eventual opening earlier this month.
Here is a timeline of what has happened:
April 20
Headaches for Co-op Arena emerged after capacity for a test event was reduced with just hours’ notice.
Rick Astley did perform at the arena, however, and there were reports on social media that the event was a success.
April 22
Yet more issues came when comedian Peter Kay’s performances were postponed with less than 48 hours’ notice.
His original dates were shifted to April 29 and 30, with Kay writing on social media that he was ‘truly gutted’ for his fans.
A spokesman for the arena said that ‘consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue’ was two days behind and there needed to be more time to test it ‘thoroughly’.
April 25
Following a slew of issues, general manager Gary Roden resigned.
April 26
Peter Kay and The Black Keys both had to reschedule dates because of the venue not being ‘ready’.
Kay’s gigs were moved to May 23 and May 24, and he said it was ‘very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won’t compromise that’ on X, formerly Twitter.
The new date for the US rock band The Black Keys became May 15.
In a statement, Co-op Live also said that there is ‘reassurance’ for fans that dates for US rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, real name Julius Dubose, on May 1, and American singer Olivia Rodrigo’s performances on May 3 and 4 would be going ahead.
May 1
Both A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo dates are postponed.
This was just over an hour before A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was set to perform, with the venue saying that there was a problem during the soundcheck.
A component of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system used to direct air had separated from the ductwork, and the installer, contractor and third-party inspector would now have to test each nozzle to confirm they are free from the defect, the Oak View Group said.
Two hours after cancelling A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, the venue then said that Rodrigo’s gigs would not go ahead on May 3 and 4.
May 2
Take That said they would be moving their May shows from the Co-op Live to the AO Arena because of ‘ongoing technical issues’.
Earlier that day another band, Keane, announced their May 5 gig at the venue had been postponed thanks to issues that were ‘entirely beyond our control’.
The venue said it would be taking ‘a short pause to events at Co-op Live to fully ensure the safety and security of fans and artists visiting the venue’.
May 14
Live music finally got under way at the Co-op Live arena after Manchester band Elbow opened the new venue as its first headliners.
May 25
Nicki Minaj is arrested in the Netherlands hours before she is due to fly to the UK to perform at the Co-op Live Arena.
Dutch police said at around 9pm that they released their ‘suspect and she can now move on’, but Live Nation announced soon after that the show, originally set to have doors open at 6.30pm, had been postponed.
