Technical issues continue to plague the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, leading singer Barry Manilow to book a backup venue for his upcoming concert. He also shared that his team has reserved the same date at the nearby rival venue, the AO Arena. Other artists like Take That and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie have already switched their concerts to the AO Arena, which also experienced cancellations due to the Co-op Live arena’s recent technical issues. Oak View Group, which owns the Co-op Live arena, announced that defects with parts of the ventilation system caused the cancellations.
Although the venue initially postponed two concerts to allow for an independent inspection of all elements of the arena ceiling, further delays continued to occur, causing more schedule changes. Singer Barry Manilow sympathized with fans’ concerns as he confirmed they are not privy to any additional inside information about the status of the building. He does have a contingency plan in place in case the venue is not ready by 19 May. Manilow also assured fans that if the show is moved to the AO arena, there will be plenty of space for all attendees due to a limited capacity of 12,500 guests.
Many fans already expressed their disappointment and dismay as several concerts were cancelled abruptly minutes before the doors were supposed to open. Along with Manilow, other performers like Take That, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and Olivia Rodrigo also experienced cancelled concerts. Previously, the venue announced the deferral of comedian Peter Kay’s gigs, which were due to officially open the new arena. As a result, members of the Manchester Arena Support Network have urged Co-op Live to postpone all upcoming concerts until resolving the building’s issues.
The Co-operative Group, which sponsors the venue’s naming rights, expressed disappointment in the schedule changes and stated that they want people to receive proper redress, such as compensation for hotels, due to the impact on ticketholders. Tim Leiweke, the Oak View Group boss, apologized for the “huge amount of disruption and frustration” and is working hard to rebuild trust. Leiweke reiterated that they are working incredibly hard to have the Co-op Live arena ready by 14 May.
In conclusion, with ongoing technical issues causing disruptions, backup venues are being arranged, and performances are being rescheduled. The Co-op Live arena continues to experience difficulties with their ventilation system, leading to delays, cancellations and postponements. The anxiety felt by fans and performers alike emphasizes the importance of having stringent safety protocols and efficient building maintenance procedures in place
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