Co-Op Live staff member “couldn’t stop crying” after venue’s chaotic failed opening

nme.com:

debut with comedian Peter Kay on April 23 and 24. However, following a test event featuring Rick Astley on April 22, his gigs were pushed back to the end of April with the venue citing technical issues.Later, a gig from The Black Keys that was scheduled for April 27 had to be moved to May 15, and the Peter Kay shows were moved for the second time.

They are now expected to be held on May 23 and 24. Following the second postponement, Kay shared a statement with fans, explaining that he was left “disappointed” by the news.Initially, organisers ensured those with tickets that all other shows scheduled for the new venue would be going ahead as planned.

However, they announced on Wednesday (May 1), just 10 minutes after doors had opened, that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie‘s show had been cancelled due to a “venue-related technical issue”.

Shortly afterwards, they also axed Olivia Rodrigo’s upcoming gigs – which left her “so disappointed” – as well as shows by Keane and Take That, with the latter relocating their dates to the rival AO Arena.And now, in a new report from the BBC, some of the people working behind the scenes at the venue have spoken out anonymously about the disarray.One staff member, who works in operations at the site, said: “Yesterday I went home and couldn’t stop crying.