Mark Sutherland It’s not often that a new venue dominates U.K. music industry conversation, but that’s certainly been the case with the opening – or not – of Oak View Group’s new Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
With a capacity of 23,500 people, the new $458 million venue will become the biggest indoor arena in the U.K., although its grand unveiling has been hit by a series of problems.
A test event featuring Rick Astley on April 20 had to cancel thousands of tickets shortly before the doors opened; while the official opening events, starring British comedian Peter Kay, were postponed, initially from April 23/24 to April 29/30, and then again to May 23/24.
Another reduced-capacity test concert featuring The Black Keys, that had been due to take place on April 27 has also been postponed until May 15.
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