‘We’re on the global map’: how Co-op Live bounced back from chaotic launch
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Manchester music venue winning high praise from performers and concertgoers after being bitten by teething troubles. When Paul McCartney performed on stage at Manchester’s Co-op Live in mid-December, he paused between songs, and looked out on the crowd. Praising the new venue, the musician said he just wanted to “take it all in”.
![[Line of people beside barriers with Co-op logo and green behind]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a887195627f1b172e5120dd082e3626273f676ca/0_233_3500_2100/master/3500.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The state-of-the-art building, which opened earlier this year, is the biggest indoor arena in the UK, with a capacity of 23,500, and its backers include Harry Styles and the Abu Dhabi-based owners of Manchester City. But it has not always been smooth sailing since its doors first opened in May; venue bosses have had to contend with derision and mirth as the indoor arena was plagued with false starts.
Peter Kay and singer Olivia Rodrigo were among the huge stars whose shows had to be cancelled, moved or delayed, amid tales of air conditioners falling from the ceiling and power supply problems. The chaotic launch of the arena was named by PR Week as one of the biggest corporate communications disasters of 2024 after its opening was pushed back, and its launch soon went from a source of pride to a punchline.
But now, more than a million tickets have already been sold for gigs at Co-op Live, with Bruce Springsteen, Robbie Williams and Iron Maiden among artists due to take to the stage in 2025. When Elbow played there in May, the band’s frontman, Guy Garvey, said it was “the best we have ever sounded”, and Take That’s Gary Barlow praised the “amazing sound” after the band played “two wonderful nights” there.
