But after a series of humiliating setbacks, the £450m Co-op Live now referred to by some as Co-flop Live-opened its doors with a stagger rather than a swagger, with a longdelayed opening concert by the local band Elbow last night.
The gig came nearly two weeks after the 23,500-capacity arena cancelled a show by the US star A Boogie Wit da Hoodie when part of a ventilation system crashed from the ceiling shortly after the doors had opened.
It was the latest problem to affect the UK's biggest indoor arena, whose backers include Harry Styles and the Abu Dhabi-based owners of Manchester City, after power supply issues caused the cancellation of shows by the comedian Peter Kay and the US rockers the Black Keys.
Elbow frontman Guy Garvey said he wanted to open the venue "properly" as he referenced the teething problems at the start of his band's two-hour set. To cheers, he said: "Everybody that's been working on this building has been so excited today, so nervous but so excited.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 15, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 15, 2024-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Surveillance, hacking, threats and intimidation Israel's nine-year 'war' on the international criminal court exposed
When the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced he was seeking arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders, he issued a cryptic warning: \"I insist that all attempts to impede, intimidate or improperly influence the officials of this court must cease immediately.\"
Farage says UK moving towards a state where women are excluded
Nigel Farage has said Britain is moving towards \"sectarian politics with women completely excluded\", as he called for rising levels of Channel crossings to be declared a \"national security emergency\".
Election campaigning not optional, says PM after minister takes holiday
Rishi Sunak warned Conservative MPs yesterday that election campaigning was not optional, after a minister decided to go on holiday.
Budget Reeves will wait until autumn if party wins
Rachel Reeves has said there will be no budget until September if Labour wins the election and promised the party would not announce any additional tax measures beyond what it had already promised.
Pope issues rare apology for using homophobic slur in talk with bishops
Pope Francis has apologised for using an offensive slur during a discussion with bishops about admitting gay men into seminaries, saying he \"never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms\".
Rwanda's top UK diplomat oversaw the use of Interpol to target exiles
Rwanda's top diplomat in the UK oversaw the use of the international justice system to target opponents of the country's rulers around the world, the Guardian can reveal.
Israeli spy chief 'threatened' ICC official over war crimes inquiry
Mossad director tried to persuade chief prosecutor to halt investigation, sources say
Tales of the treble from a winner and two losers
Spurs’ Ferdinand, Newcastle's Lee and Manchester United's Van der Gouw look back on 10 amazing days 25 years ago
Billionaire non-dom left country on day Hunt unveiled budget change
Billionaire non-dom left country on day Hunt unveiled budget change
Shein needs greater scrutiny before UK flotation, say MPS
Senior politicians, including three parliamentary committee chairs, have called for more scrutiny of Shein as the fast-fashion retailer founded in China sets its sights on a London stock market listing.
