Pop star Olivia Rodrigo has expressed her disappointment after her sold-out gigs at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena were cancelled. The trouble-plagued arena had already postponed its opening three times before cancelling Rodrigo’s shows due to a fault that scuppered a gig by rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. Rodrigo told her fans on Instagram that she was “sooooo disappointed” not to perform her shows, and was hopeful of rescheduling them. The decision to postpone major shows by one of the world’s biggest artists is a huge embarrassment for the Manchester arena after a series of delays.
The UK’s largest indoor venue, which can hold up to 23,500 people and cost £365m to build, was due to be opened by comedian Peter Kay last week, but his shows have also been postponed twice. Thousands of A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s fans were left waiting outside the venue when the announcement was made that the gig was cancelled just 10 minutes after doors were due to open. The incident occurred during the soundcheck when “a component of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, used to direct air, separated from the ductwork.” No one was injured, but the whole system must be tested for further issues.
Rodrigo’s fans have also had their plans disrupted, with many left out of pocket. Scott Tostevin from Guernsey told the BBC that he spent “several hundred pounds” on flights and a hotel for himself and two friends for the cancelled gig. Manchester arena bosses decided Rodrigo’s shows could not go ahead after the cancellation of A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s concert at the last minute. The venue’s operators blamed the factory defect of a nozzle used to direct air. Staff cannot confirm whether similar nozzles are free of similar defects.
Next week, Take That is due to play five nights at Co-op Live after Keane’s show on Sunday. The venue has attempted to reassure fans that it understands the need to reassure them over future shows, but some may still be postponed. The venue’s operators, Oak View Group, apologised for the disruption, but will not run any event until it is “absolutely safe” to do so. The Co-operative Group, which sponsors the venue, would be seeking a full explanation from Oak View Group.
Rodrigo opened the European leg of her Guts world tour in Dublin last Tuesday, but now has a gap in her diary before dates in Glasgow, Birmingham and London. Rodrigo’s tour made headlines in the US when contraceptives and morning-after pills were distributed at a concert in Missouri where abortion is banned. Co-op Live’s general manager, Gary Roden, resigned last week after the initial delays and a backlash over comments he had made about poorly run smaller live music venues. Rebecca Kane-Burton was brought in to replace him
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