Manchester's Co-op Live is having a right ’mare. Originally meant to open last week, the massive £365 million arena is cancelling gig after gig and has faced resignations, power supply issues and air con units reportedly falling from the ceiling.
One BBC report of the venue’s test event with Rick Astley said: ‘Most of the seating was shut, as were bars and food outlets outside one main concourse. Even then, food ran short, an escalator was not working, some toilets were without toilet roll or functioning hand dryers, and there were some temporary wires and floor coverings.’
Olivia Rodrigo fans were left bitterly disappointed when her shows were postponed this week and Take That have pre-emptively switched their shows to the rival AO Arena around the corner.
Naturally, the internet is living for all the drama. Here are all of our favourite reactions to the Co-op Live chaos.
Politicians in London have weighed in on the discussion
The Co-Op Live has done the impossible, and is even more useless than a Co-Op self-checkout.
— Count Binface (@CountBinface) May 1, 2024
People are picturing absolute carnage
quality control performing the final checks at co-op live
— Lucy (@LMAsaysno) May 2, 2024
pic.twitter.com/9Z4BrIMo3b
Others are already prepping for its funeral
someone needs to paint a watercolour of Paddington Bear leading the Co-op Live to heaven
— Niamh✨ (@edgymcveggie) May 1, 2024
We hate to be the bearers of bad news...
When someone says they’ve got tickets for a gig at Co-op Live pic.twitter.com/xRJcTK0ToW
— Pip (@pipmadeley) May 1, 2024
It's just best not to ask at this point
Manchester Co-Op Live being asked if their scheduled shows are actually going ahead this week… pic.twitter.com/D35Z3FTFGq
— tiger b (@tiger_brooke) May 1, 2024
Thoughts are with the people doing damage control
The Co-Op live social media manager rn pic.twitter.com/uKvWXsMQcB
— Hannah McDonald (@HanXMcDonald) May 1, 2024
At least you can make a catchy song out of it
I’m working lateeee, cos I’m a Co-op Live engineeeeer
— harry 🌝 (@CommeDesHazons) May 2, 2024
The Willy Wonka experience walked so the Co-op Live could run
live photos of the first gig at the co-op live pic.twitter.com/MhXeX2LNtb
— Callum (@CallumKiing) May 1, 2024
Breaking: artists resort to alternative supermarkets
Gig in LIDL
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) May 2, 2024
Did you see that LiveNation is giving out over 40,000 cheap gig tickets?
Plus: Here's how to get tickets for Billie Eilish's 2025 UK tour.
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