Music Venue Trust say Manchester Co-Op Live Arena is “a great idea” but urge them to “work in a way that secures the future of live music”
nme.comstand-up performances from Peter Kay on April 23 and 24. Following a test event with Rick Astley, however, the comedian’s gigs were postponed until April 29 and 30 due to a failed power test.A Black Keys gig that was scheduled for April 27 later had to be pushed back to May 15, and the Kay dates were delayed for the second time.Last night (May 1), A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s concert was cancelled at the last minute because of a “venue-related technical issue” before it was confirmed that Olivia Rodrigo’s shows at the Co-Op Live this Friday and Saturday (May 3, 4) had been postponed.
Rescheduled dates have yet to be announced.Gary Roden, the boss of the new arena, also resigned from his role last week amid the slew of ongoing issues and controversies.
The news came after he had previously faced criticism over his comments about grassroots music venues; arguing some of them were “poorly run”.
Roden had also dismissed calls for a £1 ticket levy on all gigs arena-sized and above, which has been proposed to ensure the future of smaller venues across the UK.In response, MVT CEO Mark Davyd told NME that he believed Roden’s remarks were “disrespectful and disingenuous”.
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