Bosses at the new arena next to the Etihad Stadium say they are now in the process of booking the first acts to perform at the new venue.
Co-op Live say they are now officially open for bookings and in talks with promoters over the first wave of shows for when it throws open its door at the end of next year. The venue, which with a capacity of 23,500 is set to become the biggest indoor arena in the UK, say there has already been "enormous interest" and that the first dates are expected to be booked up quickly.
Announcements of who will be the first artists to grace its stage are set to be made this summer. The £350 million project is the brainchild of American entertainment firm The Oak View Group (OVG) and is a joint venture with Manchester City owners the City Football Group.
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Pop heartthrob Harry Styles, who hails from Holmes Chapel in Cheshire, is also a minority investor. Building work, overseen by contractor BAM Construction, began in late 2020. It is set to be completed by December next year with the first shows taking place at the end of 2023 and early 2024.
In total, once opened, it will host 120 events a year, bringing an estimated 1.3 million visitors to the city. Bosses say "these extra events would mean Manchester will rival London as the music capital of the UK on annual attendances at events in major music arenas."
It would also mean annual attendance at music events in the city would be higher than that for football. Those behind Co-op Live say it has been designed to be "a music-first venue" but that it will have "a uniquely flexible layout" with the capacity and seating arrangements being able to be adapted to all types of events.
"From music concerts on world tours to home-grown Manchester talent, to international sporting events from globally renowned brands to the best in comedy and family entertainment shows, Co-op Live is engaging promoters and event owners and will appeal to everyone" they said.
The ceiling of the 'black box' bowl, which will have a standing floor able to hold 7,500 people, has been lowered to 24 metres in order to improve the acoustics and there will be no branding around the bowl during performances in a bid to give a fans a more 'intimate' feeling.
Bosses say it has been "has been designed to feel like the UK’s largest nightclub." It will also feature facilities including 14 dressing rooms and backstage offices and a 330-tonne rigging capacity to accommodate the biggest shows. There will also be a 'digital halo' around the façade of the building to promote upcoming shows.
Jessica Koravos, Co-Chairperson, OVG International, said: “Manchester is one of the hottest destinations in the UK for live events and Co-op Live will be the ultimate stage. The design of the venue works for the planet, for the fans and the artists.
"We are redefining live with the biggest capacity, paired with our low ceiling, seats closer to the action, largest standing floor and our unique black box bowl that creates a nightclub intimacy to connect the energy on stage with the crowd like nowhere else in the UK.”
Co-op Live’s director of strategic programming, Katie Musham, added: "We’re already seeing phenomenal demand for dates from a wide range of promoters across music, sports, and family entertainment shows, and welcome enquiries to discuss opportunities.
"We can’t wait to announce the first events later this year when anticipation for the first unforgettable nights at Co-op Live will really ramp up."
