The opening gig at Co-op Live has been cancelled just hours before it was set to start. The arena has also announced that the Olivia Rodrigo shows due to take place this bank holiday weekend have also been postponed.
Co-op Live bosses said tonight’s concert will not go ahead due to “a venue-related technical issue” and asked “fans to leave the area”. Rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was set to take to the stage at 9pm on Wednesday evening (May 1) – but at 6.40pm, the venue took to social media to inform fans that the show would no longer be going ahead.
In a statement to gig-goers, Co-op Live announced the opening gig was cancelled, saying: “Due to a venue-related technical issue, tonight’s A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show will no longer go ahead. We kindly ask fans to leave the area. Tickets holders will receive further information in due course. We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”
Co-op Live has already had to cancel and reschedule a number of high-profile gigs including postponing Peter Kay’s opening shows twice and pushing back The Black Keys concert. The UK’s largest and most sustainable venue was due to open for the first time to the public with the A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie gig this evening, and with Olivia Rodrigo shows now postponed, a new opening date is yet to be revealed.
Announcing the news of the Olivia Rodrigo shows set to take place the nights of May 3 and 4, Co-op Live said: “Due to an on-going venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed. Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase. We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”
Olivia Rodrigo performed a show in Dublin last night (April 30) and was due to kick off the UK leg of her tour in Manchester, before heading to Glasgow, Birmingham and London the following week, continuing to immense arenas around Europe and North America. A new date for A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo shows at Co-op Live is yet to be confirmed.
Commenting on postponement of her Manchester gig, said: “I’ve been having such a great time in Europe so far and I’m sooooo disappointed that we’re unable to perform in Manchester due to on-going venue-related issues. We’re doing our best to reschedule the show…I’m so bummed and I really hope to see you all soon.”
Earlier this week, Co-op Live announced a number of big names set to grace the arena’s stage later this year and into 2025, including Craig David, Janet Jackson and four shos from Billie Eilish.