The Co-op Live saga rumbles on, with Liam Gallagher and budget supermarket now teaming up to take a swipe at the under-fire arena.
The Oasis legend, 51, is down to perform on his Definitely Maybe anniversary tour at the troubled Manchester venue next month, but nothing is for certain when it comes to Co-op Live.
In what is quickly shaping up to be Manchester's very own version of the Fyre Festival scandal, Co-op Live has been plagued with issues since it was scheduled to open its doors to the public last month, with funny man Peter Kay booked to be the first perform to ever perform on stage.
However, Phoenix Nights star Peter is yet to step foot inside the Co-op Live venue, with the comic's shows rescheduled twice now, and even more stars have seen their gigs postponed at the last minute.
Ticket holders were turned away from the Co-op Live arena at the last minute earlier this week (Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)American pop star Olivia Rodrigo's sold-out gigs were axed earlier this week, while Take That revealed they're shifting their May shows from Co-op Live to AO Arena in Manchester. A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie's gig was delayed just over an hour before the rapper was due on stage on Wednesday night and will now take place at AO Arena, with The Black Keys and Keane's upcoming performances also impacted.
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Wonderwall hitmaker Liam is set perform in his hometown city at the Co-op Live on June 15 and 16, and June 27 and 28, but naturally fans with tickets are nervous the dates could be cancelled. Liam took to social media on Thursday in an attempt to allay some fans' fears.
"Keep the faith Rastas," the singer told one concerned fan on Twitter (X) doubting if the gig will go ahead. Replying to another asking if the Co-op Live will be ready by June, Liam hopefully wrote back: "I hope so surely they'll have it sorted by then." Another asked: "liam what’s the plan if the co op live isn’t sorted by definitely maybe?"
"Gig in LIDL," Liam replied, sending fans into meltdown. "What abt tesco," one asked the rock star, which prompted Liam to make his supermarket preferences very clear. "Fu** tesco c***s," Liam declared in reply to his fan. Luckily for Liam, Lidl are more than happy to host the Oasis rocker if Co-op Live's issues roll into June.
"Former Oasis front man, Liam Gallagher, has said he’ll play a gig at the nation’s favourite discounter in June, if he can’t play Manchester Co-op live – and Lidl has accepted," a spokesperson for the supermarket said on Friday - evening suggesting a potential setlist for the gig.
The tongue-in-cheek setlist includes playful spin on some of Liam's biggest hit songs from over the years and includes: "Lidl by Lidl, Champagne Superoffer, Super(market) Sonic, The Importance of Being Lidl, Tiger Roll With It, Don't Look Back In Hanger and Some Might Save."
But while Lidl and Liam may be making the best of a bad situation and keeping things lighthearted, it's been a tough few days for those with tickets to now cancelled gigs at the Co-op Live arena. Simon Waite, 51, expressed his frustration to the PA news agency about the cancellation of Sunday's Keane concert, as he had arranged for his carer to take time off work and had paid for a hotel and dog kennel.
Will Liam be performing in Lidl's famous bakery aisle next month? (Getty Images)Mr Waite said: "As I am disabled person, I go up with my friend who is my carer, so when we go somewhere we have to plan it so that she is not working or can get the day off as a holiday, so she's losing out. I've paid for our hotel well in advance as the tickets for concerts come out really early so you book your hotel before the prices go up. Also, I have a dog who I have to make sure has somewhere to go for the night and you don't get your money back on the kennels. I'm just very angry, frustrated and let down by the whole Co-op Live experience."
Maureen Mills, a 68 year old retired marine insurance consultant from Southport, was due to see Take That perform at Co-op Live next Tuesday. She told the PA news agency: "They should never have tried to open it so soon, because obviously there are big things that need to be sorted out there."
Ms Mills added: "It's brilliant that Take That chose to hold their concert in a different venue on the same date, but it shouldn't have been left to Take That to do it. It's not fair to the fans that are waiting to go to this supposedly beautiful new arena," she said. "I think they overstepped themselves and it wasn't ready for opening. They should have recognised that. There must have been a time when they realised that this just wasn't going to happen, instead of letting it go as far as it did."
The new music venue, which has postponed its opening numerous times, said it will be taking "a short pause to events" before welcoming members of the public to the arena from May 14. A statement from Co-op Live said this is to "fully ensure the safety and security of fans and artists" and allow for an "independent inspection of all elements of the arena ceiling" following an issue with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
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