As Take That and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie switch from Co-op Live to the AO Arena and Olivia Rodrigo and Keane get postponed, the venue has announced “a short pause to events.”
In a statement last night, operator, Oak View Group said:
“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.”
Today Barry Manilow revealed that his team had reserved the AO Arena “as a back-up”
Dear Friends……
— Barry Manilow (@barrymanilow) May 2, 2024
Many of you have expressed your concerns about the ongoing status of the new Co-op Live Arena in Manchester.
We share your concerns.
Contrary to some opinions, however, we don’t have any double secret inside information on the condition of the building.
We…
Is Co-op Live really doomed?
If no publicity is bad publicity, take a look at the social media figures. Until the “technical problems” its Tweets were getting 30-45k views. On May 1st, it rocketed to the millions.
Steve Leigh, Managing Director at MediaCity research and measurement consultancy, Sensu Insight has been looking at the data.
“While Co-op Live promises to redefine the landscape of live entertainment, its journey has taken an unexpected twist and captured national attention in recent weeks, with much of the positive publicity to date turning sour. We’ve seen eager anticipation morph into delays and disappointment as the spectacle of its grand opening has been overshadowed by a series of setbacks. These include the resignation of the general manager and three failed attempts to host its opening event, with fans being turned away minutes before the show was meant to start.
“The reasons cited for delays, deemed ‘technical’, have sparked concerns about safety measures, eroding public trust. What’s more, instead of delivering all the bad news at once, new disappointments have continued to come to the fore – not only frustrating stakeholders but also casting doubts on the venue’s ability to handle future challenges effectively.
“The situation has been damaging in the short term, with artists, management companies, and ticket holders being let down. Rebuilding trust will undoubtedly take time and concerted efforts. But reputation is transient and can be influenced positively if those in charge make the right decisions. If we look at other past examples, The Millennium Dome opened to much criticism and bad publicity – now, over 20 years later, sentiment has changed considerably.
“And amid the turmoil, there could be a glimmer of hope. The saga of Co-op Live has thrust it into the limelight, sparking conversations and raising awareness like never before. Our analysis shows that in the last two weeks, there has been a 948% rise in people talking and sharing content about Co-op Live. As a resident of Greater Manchester myself, I can attest that until recently, I had little knowledge of the venue’s scale and significance. Now, it’s a topic of discussion everywhere I go.
“The past fortnight has seen a 2,657% rise in people saying negative things about the venue, but even before these events, negative comments outweighed positive two to one, including concerns about parking and rescheduling of events. The surge in online mentions reflects heightened interest and increased visibility, even if it’s tinged with disappointment.
“Looking ahead, while loyal fans may still flock to see their favourite artists perform, the venue’s ability to retain performers remains uncertain amid the turbulence of its debut. Nevertheless, one thing is clear: Co-op Live’s journey has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, shaping conversations and perceptions for years to come.”
