Co-op Live is ploughing ahead with its opening season schedule despite the cancellation chaos as Travis Scott confirms gigs at the£365million arena.
The announcement comes after Take That jumped ship to the rival AO Arena and Olivia Rodrigo apologised to fans as she rescheduled her Manchester dates.
What was touted as the biggest indoor UK venue – with Harry Styles investing – has become a laughing stock amid crying staff members and falling air conditioning units.
Undeterred by disappointed fans and a slew of memes, Travis will bring his Circus Maximus Tourto the plagued venue.
The 33-year-old rapper, all being well, is set to perform in Manchester on July 13 as part of his 12 newly announced UK and European dates.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘Europe we on the way. Tickets on sale Friday May 10. Bringing circus Maximus over then pond. Let’s make this one the best. Can’t wait to see you alllll.’
Travis, who is father to Kylie Jenner’s children, has not addressed the choice of arena as fans hyped up the tour in his comment section.
However, the story was very different on Co-op Live’s X announcement as frustrated fans flooded the replies with queries about their postponed gigs.
‘Perhaps you should get properly sorted and running without issues before announcing new events,’ replied drag artist Ophelia Butts.
Johnny Dee added: ‘How about sorting out the gigs you had to postpone before announcing new ones. This isn’t fair on those of us that are out of pocket and have kids waiting for updates on @oliviarodrigo etc……Its shoddy management!’
‘You’re a joke,’ scathed Ella. ‘We’ve had no update on postponed events and you’re announcing new ones?’
Metro.co.uk understands that this was planned long before the string of cancellations hit the venue and programming conversations will run alongside rescheduling talks.
Co-op Live is planning to reopen on May 14 for a concert from British rock icons Elbow.
Last week, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s show was cancelled just hours before Julius Dubose was meant to take the stage as confused fans queued outside.
Part of the air conditioning system had plummeted to the floor during sound check, resulting in the decision to postpone the gig although nobody was injured.
Boxes were reportedly still in VIP areas and lightning was not finished as the arena workers panicked over allowing fans into the space.
On top of Olivia and Boogie,Peter Kay’s inaugural show was postponed twiceand music icons The Black Keys also scrapped their turn at the venue.
Rick Astley’s turn at the venue saw 4,000 tickets cancelled an hour before his show, which was touted as a ‘test’ gig for Co-op Live.
In a statement toMetro.co.uk, a spokesperson for Co-op Live previously said: ‘We understand the need to reassure fans over future shows.We are working with artist management and promoters to limit the impact on the opening season schedule.
Where necessary, we will identify alternate dates and will continually reassess to provide fans with sufficient notice regarding imminent shows. Should shows be cancelled or rescheduled, fans will be contacted by their point of purchase and offered a full refund where preferred.’
Travis last played in the UK in 2022 at London’s O2 Arena after tragedy struck his Astroworld gig in Houston, Texas.
Eight crowd membersdied in a terrifying crushduring the first night of Astroworld at the NRG Park in November 2021.
Two more revellers died from their injuries in hospital in the days after the event, while 300 gig-goers were left injured.
Addressing the incident, which left him facing lawsuits, Travis said: ‘To the ones that was lost last night, we’re working right now to ID the families so we can help assist them through this tough time.
‘I’m honestly just devastated… I could never imagine anything like this just happening.’
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Travis’ reps and Co-op Live for comment.
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