Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Martin Belam

‘Turn the building off and on’: social media schadenfreude over Co-op Live arena

op Co (Organization) Liz Truss Manchester Coop Live
People entering Co-op Live for the opening test event on 20 April
People entering Co-op Live for the opening test event on 20 April. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

The repeated failure of the new Co-op live venue to open in Manchester has led to shows being cancelled at the last moment, gigs rescheduled, and has caused huge inconvenience to people who had booked non-refundable travel and hotels to enjoy events they had been looking forward to.

It has, of course, though, allowed the British public to also enjoy one of its greatest pastimes – hilarious schadenfreude on social media. Not least because its general manager, Gary Roden, was forced to resign over the issues, not long after he hadn’t exactly endeared himself to organisations such as the Music Venue Trust by suggesting that many grassroots music venues are often “poorly run” and that was a factor in the new venue not wanting to take part in a levy scheme to help keep smaller venues open.

The fact that people were turned away at the last minute while queuing to see A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie last Wednesday was an opportunity to bring out the BBC presenter Maryam Moshiri’s legendary viral sweary countdown.

Some people questioned who exactly had been in charge of getting the venue ready.

Or who might be in charge.

That wasn’t the only time people made comparisons with Liz Truss, who may not have been prime minister for very long but certainly is one of the most gif-able politicians of recent years.

If it wasn’t Liz Truss behind the disaster, perhaps Donna from Doctor Who had chucked her coffee into yet another complicated bit of machinery.

Or maybe the venue is just sulking.

Co-owner OVG’s chief executive, Tim Leiweke, recently told the Financial Times when asked about construction delays that “Brexit is real, inflation is real, interest rates are real. We have also happened to have the rainiest winter in the history of Manchester,” but it still takes some effort to be one of the worst-rated UK venues on the internet when you haven’t even put on a show yet.

And the suspicion that the root cause might be a Saturday night TV prank by Ant and Dec is never far away.

There had been some questions about whether the city was the right location for this venture, when it already has the Manchester Arena. The fact that cancelled Co-Op Live gigs are being moved there only highlights that.

Perhaps the best way forward now would be to launch something known to have low-budget production values. After all, if Glasgow’s Willy Wonka disaster could be recreated in Los Angeles, why not near the Etihad Stadium?

Or that old IT standby.

And then every now and then someone realises the potential personal impact on them, and the laughter suddenly stops.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fans trying to watch Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul on Netflix faced technical issues during undercard
It didn't take long for technical issues to rear their head in Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul.
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Group Leaves Friend After She’s Late Yet Again, Sparks Major Friendship Fallout
This woman didn't play around. She up and left her always late friend out of the birthday party bus. The post Group Leaves Friend After She’s Late Yet Again, Sparks Major Friendship Fallout first appeared on Bored Panda.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Is soy healthy? Here's what experts have to say
People have long been told to avoid soy, but experts say it could be one of the best foods for you.
Fortune
Fortune
There are random shots of Wolverine's ass in one Deadpool and Wolverine scene because of a cut Captain America joke: "That's why I did that shot – to feature Canada's Ass"
The butt of the joke
Total Film
Total Film
Kraft Mac & Cheese faces a lawsuit by consumers for bizarre allegations
Kraft Mac & Cheese gets sued by consumers for accusations they have negated for years.
The Street
The Street
Mom Forces Vegan Daughter To Eat Double Serving Of Steak And Kidneys, Regrets It Deeply
A vegan woman shared her experience with being forced to eat a steak and kidney pie and then immediately throwing up at the dinner table. The post Mom Forces Vegan Daughter To Eat Double Serving Of Steak And Kidneys, Regrets It Deeply first appeared on Bored Panda.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play