May 4th 2024.
The recent events surrounding Manchester's Co-Op Live arena have left many staff members in tears. This catastrophic disaster has dealt a major blow to the city's vibrant music scene, resulting in the cancellation of numerous highly anticipated concerts. Olivia Rodrigo, whose show was rescheduled, became the subject of mass mockery as the arena, which has received a staggering investment from Harry Styles, was nicknamed "Co-Flop."
Take That, one of the biggest names in British music, was forced to move their concert to a rival venue, the AO Arena. The Black Keys also had to reschedule, and Peter Kay had to cancel his opening performance. While music enthusiasts watched in disbelief, comparing the entire situation to the infamous Fyre Fest, those working behind the scenes were facing immense stress.
One staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, shared how they went home and cried after the chaotic events that took place before A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie's scheduled performance on May 1st. The show was ultimately cancelled just an hour before it was supposed to start due to technical issues, specifically a piece of the air conditioning system falling to the ground. Wires were hanging down and lighting was exposed, making the situation seem even more chaotic.
"It's not just me," the staff member revealed, "it's the same for a lot of the team. We've put in so much effort and to see it all fall apart like this is heart-breaking." They also expressed relief that the concert was cancelled, as it could have potentially put thousands of fans at risk by walking into a venue that was not yet ready.
Another staff member, who was hired to host the VIP ticket holders, also spoke out about the chaotic state of the venue. "I think we were all very skeptical," she shared in an interview with the BBC, "It was my first time in the arena and it did not look ready at all. They're doing everything with crossed fingers, it's a bit chaotic." She described how the VIP rooms were still filled with cardboard boxes and construction workers were still completing last-minute checks.
Following the events, the management at Co-Op Live reassured everyone that all staff members who were scheduled to work that day would be paid in full. Tim Leiweke, the Chairman and CEO of the Oak View Group, apologized on behalf of the venue, as fans were left questioning if they would ever get to see their favorite artists perform.
In a statement to The Agency, a spokesperson for Co-op Live said, "We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows. We are working closely with artist management and promoters to minimize the impact on the opening season schedule. If necessary, alternate dates will be identified and fans will be given sufficient notice. In the case of cancelled or rescheduled shows, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund."
Unfortunately, it is still unclear when these postponed concerts will be able to take place. During a soundcheck, a component of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system malfunctioned, causing it to separate from the ductwork. Thankfully, no one was injured, but as a precaution, the decision was made to postpone the performance.
In response to the incident, the installer, contractor, and third-party inspector will be testing each component to ensure that they are free of any defects. This is especially important as artists like Stevie Nicks, Nicki Minaj, Jonas Brothers, and The Kings of Leon are all scheduled to perform at Co-Op Live later this year.
Sacha Lord, the night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, stated that they are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to do so as the venue works towards resolving the issues. Do you have a story to share? If so, don't hesitate to reach out to The Agency entertainment team by emailing us, calling, or visiting our website. We'd love to hear from you.
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