Take That fans flock to the AO Arena for first night of mammoth residency following Co-op Live reshuffle

Venture past Manchester Victoria tonight, just around the corner towards the AO Arena and you should be able to hear the sounds of a packed out home crowd belting out Take That's biggest hits, from classics like 'Pray' and 'Relight My Fire' to new fan favourites such as 'You and Me'.

Tonight, the three-piece will be kicking off their mammoth residency at the arena as part of their ongoing This Life tour. The band have moved five of their seven homecoming shows from Co-op Live to the AO Arena amid delays at the new Eastlands venue, which has seen gigs rescheduled, relocated and even cancelled.

Four of the dates have been able to stay the same, while one show has moved from May 8 to May 9, due to the AO Arena already being booked by Tenacious D on that night. It means the band will perform at the AO Arena this evening, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, while its shows on June 11 and 12 are still scheduled to take place at Co-op Live.

READ MORE: Take That at AO Arena - seating plan, set times, parking and everything you need to know

Last week, the new Co-op Live venue had to cancel several concerts due to a ‘technical issue’. At the end of April, Peter Kay’s performances were postponed, before A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s gig on the rearranged opening night on Wednesday (May 1) was called off at the last minute and moved to the AO Arena on Saturday, May 4.

The relocation hasn't been without its issues though. Since the change of venue was announced, fans have complained about being assigned seats which do not match what they originally purchased, claiming the seats are 'far worse' in some cases.

Others, especially those with VIP tickets have demanded refunds, while others say they have struggled to obtain them on the Ticketmaster website. In response, Ticketmaster has reiterated that refunds are available for ticket holders and that anyone who requests a refund will be given one - a sentiment echoed by the AO Arena.

Despite the somewhat confusing series of events that has transpired over the past few weeks, Take That fans, as you would expect, have not deterred. Hundreds have patiently lined up in the queue ahead of the doors opening this evening donning their very best attire, from....

We spoke to some of those lining up ahead of the gig, including Alison, who has travelled all the way from Devon to see the band. She’s joined by Rachel, Nik and Joanne. They reckon they’ve seen the Manchester-formed group more than ten times, with one of them even suggesting that it could be as high as twenty.

“We’ve seen them loads of times, we’ve lost count,” they say collectively. “To be honest though we’re a bit disappointed with the tickets we’ve got now though,” adds Nik. “We’re right up in the gods, and I have vertigo as well, so yeah we had better tickets at the Co-op Live. I think we will still go to the venue though when it does open though, even despite what’s happened.”

Meanwhile, Linda, Angharad and Maizie have come all the way from Porthmadog in North Wales, a three-hour car journey to see Take That’s first homecoming show. “We’re huge Take That fans and it’s the first time for my daughter," Linda says.

"It’s fine for us that it’s moved to the AO Arena because it’s easier actually, the hotel is right around the corner and the trains station is there - works for us."

Alison and Jackie, from Blackburn, can’t decide if it’s the fourth or sixth time they’ve come, and Alison usually comes twice to their gigs when Take That tour. They’ve followed the Co-op Live saga and the impact on fans as the gigs were moved but say their seats at the AO are “absolutely fine”.

“We would rather come to the AO Arena anyway,” says Jackie. “I didn’t want air conditioning falling on me, to be honest.”

“Well, we’re more familiar with this venue,” adds Alison. “It will be nice to see Co-op Live when it does open as it is bigger but we’re happy to be here. I know a lot of fans were concerned about the stage and seats but ours are still very good.”

By the entrance to the AO Arena, mega fan Michelle is joined by Stephanie, Danielle, Lisa, Victoria and Elaine as they prepare to enter the venue. Michelle says she’s been “waiting all day for this gig” and didn’t even realise it was meant to take place at Co-op Live.

“We’ve been to every tour since they started out,” says Michelle. “Sometimes we’ve been to the same tour several times. I’ve been waiting for this all day. I’ve been sat there since 7am this morning, waiting for the day to just go by.”

The ladies aren’t too bothered about the change in venue, as Danielle says: “We like the arena, we know it.” Michelle added: "I didn’t even realise it was at a different venue originally. To be honest we’re happy to be here, we don’t care where they are, we just hope they play everything.”

“They’re just an entertaining band aren’t they,” adds Elaine. “It’s going to be a great show.”