Yahoo News 'Some might save'... Lidl agrees to stage gig for Liam Gallagher if Co-op Live can't
Liam Gallagher has said he'll play a gig at Lidl in June if the new crisis-hit Coop Live cannot host him - and the supermarket has accepted.
The former Oasis frontman is due to perform on his Definitely Maybe anniversary tour at the Eastlands venue on June 15 and 16, and June 27 and 28. But the venue has been marred by a series of setbacks, with bosses having to cancel its planned opening gig on Wednesday night amid 'technical issues', having already postponed a number of shows.
As hundreds of A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie fans queued outside, and some waited inside, it was announced the gig would be off at the last minute. The Manchester Evening News understands that, for all intents and purposes, the venue was cleared to open by officials ahead of the gig.
READ NEXT: Co-op group issues statement after yet more cancellations plunge arena into further chaos
But during the rapper’s soundcheck, a nozzle from an air conditioning unit fell from the ceiling within the arena’s bowl. Two hours after the announcement, the venue confirmed Friday and Saturday’s gigs with pop star Olivia Rodrigo would also be cancelled.
Then yesterday, it was announced that the opening show has been rescheduled to take place at the rival AO Arena this weekend instead. Take That's epic run of shows next week have also relocated to the AO Arena on the same date as originally planned (except for the May 8 show, which will now take place on May 9).
Keane's show, set for this Sunday, has been cancelled. Amid the chaos, fans have been asking Liam Gallagher on X what the plan would be if the venue isn't sorted by June.
Responding to one fan who asked 'we still on for Co-op Live?', Liam replied: 'I hope so, surely they have it sorted by then'. To another fan, the singer replied with a tongue-in-cheek response: 'Gig in Lidl'.
And the supermarket has today said it would happily welcome the star to play in one of its branches and came up with an alternative set-list.
Lidl-ready set list:
Lidl by Lidl
Champagne Superoffer
Super(market) Sonic
The Importance of Being Lidl
Tiger Roll With It
Don't Look Back In Hanger
Some Might Save
A statement from Co-op Live on Thursday (May 2) said: "Following the events that led to the cancelled A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show on 1 May, we have decided to take a short pause to events at Co-op Live to fully ensure the safety and security of fans and artists visiting the venue. This time will allow for an independent inspection of all elements of the arena ceiling.
"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. Our naming rights partner, the Co-op Group, has also expressed the importance of ensuring that the significant impact on ticketholders is recognised and addressed, with more detail to follow soon."
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