TAKE That have pulled their concerts from doomed Manchester venue Co-Op Live.
The new state-of-the-art arena has been plagued by countless technical problems and has failed to open on three different occasions with FIVE acts having their shows cancelled.
Amid the ongoing chaos, pop group Take That have now pulled their planned run of shows at the venue planned for later this month.
Instead, they will be performing at Manchester’s other arena, AO Arena, instead, in a bid to avoid the venue pulling the plug at the last moment, a habit that has occurred with their latest venue announcements.
Take That released a lengthy statement where they addressed the ongoing issues at the Co-Op Live and how they had decided to pull out of performing at the venue in a bid to avoid disappointing fans.
Writing online, the trio said: “Given the ongoing technical issues around the opening of Co-Op Live we have taken the difficult decision to move our May shows to the AO Arena where we have enjoyed many great nights over the years.
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“This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we wanted to give our fans as much notice as possible.
“We’re mindful many of you will already have travel and accommodation plans in place, so we have chosen this option to minimise inconvenience to as many people as possible.”
As a result of the scheduling change, some of their planned dates in Manchester have also faced a change.
Their performance scheduled to take place on Wednesday 8 May at Co-Op Live has now been delayed by a day in order to take place at the AO Arena.
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Shows lined up to take place on the 7th, 10th, 11th and the 12th May will continue on those days but move to the AO Arena also.
Also tonight, band Keane confirmed that the Co-Op Live had axed their concert this Sunday after the venue confirmed it’s plans to “pause” it’s planned opening season.
Issuing their own statement, Keane said: “We’re absolutely gutted not to be able to celebrate 20 years of Hopes and Fears with you at the Co-op Live on Sunday.
“This is due to on-going technical issues at the venue and is entirely beyond our control.”
At present, music icons Barry Manilow, Eric Clapton and Nicki Minaj look set to play at the venue during the latter half of the month with the venue implicitly suggesting that these concerts are expected to go ahead.
They said: “At this time, we do not expect further impact on our opening season.”
Co-Op Live added: “We are aware our actions have frustrated and angered ticket holders.
“We know you’ve incurred significant disruption, and are finding a way to help make it right. We are taking the pause to think about the best ways to do that.”
The Co-Op Live has faced a series of setbacks and has failed to open as planned.
Concerts set to be held by US stars Olivia Rodrigo and A Boogie wit Da Hoodie were axed by the venue after they failed to ensure that performers and fans would be safe inside the ‘unfinished’ venue.
Footage from outside the 23,500 capacity arena yesterday appeared to show a number of construction workers still arriving to complete work on the failing venue.
Among one of the many issues facing the venue include an air conditioning unit which fell to the ground just hours before a concert was set to take place.
Issuing a statement in response to the venue’s issues and the incident which halted yesterday’s show, a Co-op Group spokesperson said: “As the naming rights sponsor for Co-op Live, we are shocked at the incident which has led to late cancellation of tonight’s show at the arena.
“We are relieved that no-one has been injured, but we share the disappointment and frustration of ticket holders, many of whom are Co-op members, with the continuing delay to the opening of Co-op Live and the disruption that this is causing to everyone who has been looking forward to attending events.”
They went onto say in an additional statement: “As naming rights sponsor for Co-op Live we are disappointed with these further schedule changes. We fully appreciate and understand the impact and upset the delays have caused to ticket holders and our Co-op members.
“Co-op is a sponsor and does not own or run the venue, and we have made it clear to Oak View Group, who are responsible for the building, that the impact on ticketholders must be addressed as a priority. We are pleased that they will shortly be putting plans in place to do so.”
Yesterday, excited fans were already at the state-of-the-art Manchester arena in their droves for A Boogie wit Da Hoodie’s gig before being told to head home after the venue cancelled the performance.
Confirming that the Swervin rapper would not be playing as expected, Co-Op Live said: “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.”
He too managed to have his show moved to the AO Arena and he is expected to take to the stage on Saturday evening at the venue amid the chaos.
The Sun also exclusively revealed that Olivia Rodrigo had been left “furious” at the venue cancelling her weekend shows at the last moment.
Promoters are scrambling to reschedule the gigs although it is not yet clear whether that will be possible.
Olivia, who topped the charts with her second album Guts last year, is said to be gutted about the news.
It was the third time that the opening night has been cancelled, after Peter Kay twice had to postpone his show, which had been due to launch the venue last month.
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Co-op Live manager Gary Roden resigned last week amid the delays and following furore over comments he made about grassroots venues in the UK.
Olivia Rodrigo, who is touring UK arenas for the first time, will now launch the UK leg of her tour in Glasgow instead.
