Olivia Rodrigo, 21, faced disappointment as she was forced to postpone two shows on her Guts World Tour at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England. The venue cited 'technical issues' as the reason for the postponement, affecting both fans and the artist.
The problem arose during a soundcheck for A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, leading to the cancellation of the Wednesday show at the 23,500-seat arena. This was meant to be the inaugural performance at the venue, which has been grappling with delays and cancellations in recent weeks.
The Co-op Live arena confirmed that an ongoing technical issue related to a defective component of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system was the root cause of the problem. This issue has also led to the cancellation of other events at the venue, including a test performance by Rick Astley and a concert by the Black Keys.
Despite the setbacks, Olivia Rodrigo expressed her disappointment via her Instagram Story and assured fans that efforts were being made to reschedule the Manchester shows. Ticket-holders were given the option to retain their tickets for further information or request a refund.
Tim Leiweke, chairman and CEO of the arena's operator The Oak View Group, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety and security of concert attendees and staff. He apologized for the inconvenience caused to ticket-holders and fans, underscoring the commitment to ensuring a safe environment for all events at Co-op Live.
As Rodrigo moves her tour to Glasgow for upcoming performances at the OVO Hydro, fans remain hopeful for a swift resolution to the technical issues plaguing the Co-op Live arena.