内容摘要：Budget supermarket Lidl has said it will host Liam Gallagher if the crisis-hit Co-op Live arena cann

Budget supermarket Lidl has said it will host Liam Gallagher if the crisis-hit Co-op Live arena cannot due to ongoing 'technical issues'.

The former Oasis frontman is scheduled to perform on his Definitely Maybe anniversary tour at the troubled Manchester venue on June 15 and 16, and June 27 and 28.

But after the venue axed a series of gigs, including those by comedian Peter Kay and American singer Olivia Rodrigo, Gallagher joked that he would play at Lidl instead.

Replying to a fan who asked what the plan was if Co-op Live was to cancel his Manchester performances, the star said: 'Gig in Lidl.'

Lidl jumped on the opportunity to collaborate with the former Oasis frontman, suggesting a set list for his performance at 'Lidl Arena' which included Don't Look Back in Hanger and Champagne Superoffer.

Amid the wave of cancellations at the as-yet-to-open venue, global music icon Barry Manilow also sought to ease the concerns of worried fans over his upcoming Co-op Live arena gig by revealing a 'back up plan'.

Liam Gallagher (pictured) is scheduled to perform on his Definitely Maybe anniversary tour at the troubled Manchester venue

The Co-Op Live arena (pictured) has experienced 'technical issues' and axed a series of gigs, including those by comedian Peter Kay and American singer Olivia Rodrigo

Replying to a fan who asked if his gigs in June were still going ahead, Gallagher said: 'I hope so surely they'll have it sorted by then.

Lidl then added some suggestions for Liam Gallagher's set list at the 'Lidl Arena'

Manilow's team confirmed they reserved rival Manchester venue AO Arena on May 19, just in case any further problems arise.

The extraordinary move was confirmed in a statement released by Barry's husband and manager Garry Kief on his official X page last night.

It said they 'shared the concerns' of fans over the chaotic situation unfolding at Co-op Live but that they could be rest assured the Could it Be Magic star will perform in Manchester one way or another on May 19.

Manchester's Co-op Live arena axed a series of gigs due to ongoing technical issues including those of three-time Grammy winner Olivia Rodrigo.

The American singer was scheduled to take place on May 3 and 4 as part of her Guts World Tour.

To avoid disappointing fans, Take That moved their shows from the Co-op Live to AO Arena in Manchester.

Footage filmed outside the arena this week shows the area looking like a construction site, with a digger and dumper parked up outside among building materials.

American singer Olivia Rodrigo was also scheduled to perform at the venue this week, but her concerts on Friday and Saturday have been postponed

Amid the wave of cancellations, Take That (pictured) moved their shows from Co-op Live arena to a rival venue in Manchester.

Take That announced their decision to change venues in a statement on Instagram

On Wednesday the arena cited a 'ventilation defect' for postponing a gig whilst fans queued outside.

Doors were scheduled to open at 6.30pm on May 1, but just 10 minutes before showtime the venue embarrassingly posted on its X account and handed out letters asking fans to 'leave the area'.

A statement by Co-op Live on its X page read: 'Due to a venue-related technical issue, tonight's A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show will no longer go ahead.

'We kindly ask fans to leave the area. Tickets holders will receive further information in due course.

'We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.'

The venue's developer, the Oak View Group, later told the PA news agency there had been a ventilation defect.

During a soundcheck, a component of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system used to direct air separated from the ductwork, they said.

The organisation believe it to be an 'isolated incident caused by a factory defect' but it was not able to verify that all similar nozzles were free of similar defects.

US rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie's show had already been postponed twice this week and fans reacted in disbelief as they were told to leave the area

Doors were scheduled to open at 6.30pm on May 1, but just 10 minutes before showtime the venue embarrassingly posted on its X account and handed out letters asking fans to 'leave the area'.

The Co-op Live had to embarrassingly tell fans to 'leave the area' as there were 'venue-related technical issues' 

During a soundcheck at the Co-op Live (pictured), a component of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system used to direct air separated from the ductwork, they said.

Nobody was injured in the incident and the installer, contractor and third-party inspector will now test each nozzle to confirm they are free of defect, it said.

Tim Leiweke, chairman and chief executive of the Oak View Group, said: 'The safety and security of all visiting and working on Co-op Live is our utmost priority, and we could not and will not run any event until it is absolutely safe to do so.

'Today was a very unexpected situation but without a doubt the right decision. I deeply apologise for the impact that this has had on ticket holders and fans.'

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, real name Julius Dubose, earlier told fans 'something happened with the venue during a soundcheck'.

He wrote on X: 'Something happened with the venue while I was at soundcheck today that caused cancellation of the show.

'We are working on rescheduling in the next few days.

'I'm heated about the situation too, but safety first Manchester, I got you, just stay tuned for further info.'

But fans reacted with fury to the news the gig had been cancelled with people queuing outside 

The ongoing issues forced Gary Roden, general manager of the venue, to quit.

Rebecca Kane Burton, an ex-boss of London's O2 Arena, has stepped in as interim general manager.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie later told fans in a message on X something happened with the venue during soundcheck

Fans reacted with fury to the news the gig had been cancelled with people queuing outside

Gary Roden, general manager of the venue, has quit after a slew of issues led to a delay in opening

The Co-op Group, who has naming rights for the venue, issued a statement to MailOnline in which it said it was left 'shocked' by the late cancellation.

READ MORE: Inside Manchester's £365m venue that could become the home of boxing and UFC!

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A Co-op Group spokesperson said: 'We are relieved that no-one has been injured, but we share the disappointment and frustration of ticket holders, many of whom are Co-op members, with the continuing delay to the opening of Co-op Live and the disruption that this is causing to everyone who has been looking forward to attending events.

'We will be seeking a full explanation from Oak View Group (OVG), who are responsible for the building, to the obvious questions arising from this, together with a clear plan from the Co-op Live venue management team at OVG for opening the venue and postponed and future events.

'Safety is of course the number one priority and it is critical that Co-op members and other ticket holders can enjoy events in a venue with the very highest levels of security and safety measures in place.

'We are very grateful for Manchester City Council's and the emergency services' continued engagement with OVG to ensure that Co-op Live opens as soon as possible.'

The Co-op Live arena could rival The 02 Arena for the world's biggest boxing and UFC events (Photo: Artist impressions when the plans for the venue were unveiled) 

Footage filmed showed the area still looking like a construction site with a digger and dumper parked up outside

It comes after problems with power at the site, which are believed to have affected the fire safety and emergency services communication systems led to bosses slashing attendance from around 11,000 to 4,000 at a test event

 Headaches for the arena, which is next door to Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, became patently clear after capacity for a test event two weeks ago was reduced with just hours' notice due to power issues.

READ MORE: Peter Kay is forced to cancel yet ANOTHER show at Manchester's new £350m arena as venue boss quits amid delay chaos 

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Comedian Peter Kay's huge gig at Manchester's brand new Co-op Live arena was cancelled, just hours before he was due to take to the stage at the 23,500-capacity venue.

The comedian's second show at the venue set for Wednesday evening was also cancelled.

The highly-anticipated show would have been the grand opening for the city's flagship new venue, the largest in the UK.

But just a day before the show was due to take place, it was announced that both shows had been cancelled, as work is still to be completed on the venue, which is yet to be signed off by the council's building control.

Co-op Live confirmed that both shows would be rescheduled, and will instead would take place on the 29th and 30th April.

Mr Kay said in a statement he was 'gutted' the shows were cancelled.

'I'm truly gutted as I know how disappointing this will be for everyone with tickets, but obviously it's a brand-new venue and it's important that everything is finished and safe for full capacity audiences,' he said.

It comes after problems with power at the site, which are believed to have affected the fire safety and emergency services communication systems, led to bosses slashing attendance from around 11,000 to 4,000 at a test event - less than two hours before it was due to start.

Peter Kay has also been forced to cancel yet another show at Manchester's new £350m arena amid the ongoing chaos 

Announcing the news in an update, the comedian confirmed: 'My apologies once again but unfortunately the Co-op Live still isn't ready' 

Manchester City Council's building control department cannot issue a completion certificate while work is still ongoing at the site, which is understood last week to include corridors and wiring.

The venue could still operate without this certificate after presenting council bosses with a mitigation strategy to manage potential risks, although details of this plan have not been made public.

Previously, bosses at Co-op Live said teams were on-site 'throwing everything at it' to prepare for the venue's grand opening.