Travis Scott Announces Gig at Co-op Live Music Venue Despite Ongoing Issues
Renowned rapper Travis Scott has announced a highly anticipated performance at Manchester’s Co-op Live music venue, amidst ongoing problems that have caused delays in its grand opening. The US artist will bring his Circus Maximus Tour to the arena on 13 July, as part of 12 new dates announced on Tuesday for the UK and Europe.
The £365m Co-op Live venue was originally set to open in April with shows by popular comedian Peter Kay. However, due to delays in power testing, the opening was postponed. This has also affected shows by other artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Keane, and Take That. The venue, which will become the largest in the UK with a capacity of 23,500, is now scheduled to open on 14 May with a performance by British rock band Elbow.
Last week, the venue issued a statement announcing a temporary pause in events to ensure the safety and security of fans and artists. This came after a last-minute cancellation of American rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s performance, citing technical issues during a soundcheck. Tim Leiweke, the chairman and CEO of US-based venue operator Oak View Group, expressed apologies for the delays and the inconvenience caused to ticket holders. He also stated that the staff is working diligently to ensure the building is ready for the scheduled opening date.
The issues at Co-op Live began after a test event in April, which resulted in the rescheduling of Kay’s stand-up shows. These were initially moved to later dates in April before being rescheduled again to 23 and 24 May. The Black Keys’ performance was also moved to 15 May, while Rodrigo’s shows on 3 and 4 May were postponed and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s performance on 1 May was rescheduled to 4 May at the AO Arena in the city. Keane’s gig on 5 May was postponed, and several Take That concerts were also moved to the AO.
The coming months have a star-studded lineup of acts scheduled to perform at Co-op Live, including The Eagles, Nicki Minaj, Pet Shop Boys, Liam Gallagher, Pearl Jam, The Killers, and Eric Clapton. However, so far, only a test event by Rick Astley has taken place. Last month, the venue’s general manager, Gary Roden, announced his resignation.
A spokesperson for Co-op Group stated that they are a sponsor of the venue and do not own or run it. They have made it clear to Oak View Group, the responsible party for the building, that the impact on ticketholders must be addressed as a priority. They further added that plans are being put in place to address these issues and that safety checks will be independently verified to ensure the highest levels of security and safety for all attendees.
