Liam Gallagher jokes that he’ll play Lidl if Manchester Co-Op Live isn’t “sorted” for ‘Definitely Maybe’ dates

2 May, 2024

Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher has offered to perform in a Lidl if the new Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester isn’t “sorted” in time for his ‘Definitely Maybe’ anniversary tour.

The troubled venue became the subject of renewed controversy when they cancelled A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie‘s gig last night (May 1) just 10 minutes after doors opened due to a “venue-related technical issue”. This was later revealed to be caused by part of an air conditioning unit falling from the gantry inside the venue during soundcheck.

Later that evening, the venue confirmed Olivia Rodrigo’s shows on Friday and Saturday (May 3-4) would also be postponed, which the artist said she was “so disappointed” about.

Gallagher is scheduled to perform at Co-Op Live on June 15-16 and 27-28. The former Oasis man was asked by a fan on X/Twitter what he would do if the venue still wasn’t “sorted” by the time his tour comes around, to which he jokingly replied: “Gig in LIDL.”

When another fan suggested he could play in Tesco, he wrote: “Fuck tesco c**ts.”

Lidl’s official X/Twitter account even chimed in, writing: “Maybe? DEFINITELY,” before suggesting a setlist full of supermarket puns – ‘Champagne Superoffer’, ‘Super(market) Sonic’ and ‘Some Might Save’, to offer a few examples.

Answering further questions from fans, he confirmed he wouldn’t be watching Man City vs Man Utd in the FA Cup final later this month – “I’ll be bang in rehearsals for DM so I’ll be living like a monk and looking like a spunk.”

The tour will take place to celebrate 30 years of Oasis’ seminal album, with Gallagher promising that he’d be playing “naughty” B-sides from the era too and ‘Half The World Away’ sung by brother, former bandmate and Oasis chief songwriter Noel. He will also be performing it in full during his headline slot at this year’s Reading & Leeds.

Full dates to the ‘Definitely Maybe 30 Years’ UK and Ireland tour are below, with remaining tickets available here.

JUNE 2024
02 – Sheffield, Utilita Arena
03 – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
06 – London, The O2
07 – London, The O2
10 – London, The O2
11 – London, The O2 
15 – Manchester, Co-op Live
16 – Manchester, Co-op Live
19 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
20 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
23 – Dublin, 3Arena
24 – Dublin, 3Arena
27 – Manchester, Co-op Live
28 – Manchester, Co-op Live 

Meanwhile, it was confirmed earlier today that Manchester’s AO Arena will now host the gig from A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie that was cancelled last-minute at the ill-fated Co-Op Live Arena yesterday.

Manchester Evening News also reported that the upcoming show by Keane may be rearranged, and looking to be held at the AO Arena instead of Co-Op Live. That being said, Keane’s show at Co-op Live (set for Sunday, May 5) is still currently listed as going ahead on the venue’s website, with no official announcement regarding the show made as of yet.

NME spoke to numerous disappointed fans last night who were supposed to be part of what was supposed to be the venue’s debut show.

“We travelled like two hours… it’s just poor, if you’re gonna cancel it, cancel beforehand, so we don’t spend money on getting here,” one fan told NME. “There’s thousands of people stood outside and you cancel it half an hour after the doors were meant to be open?” added her friend. “It’s stupid.”

A view of the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. The £365 million venue, the biggest indoor arena in the UK
A view of the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. The £365 million venue, the biggest indoor arena in the UK. CREDIT: Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)

“I found it really unprofessional,” said Mair, 18. “I’m supposed to be seeing Take That there next week and if that gets cancelled I don’t think the arena should be open for months. They should cancel all events. It’s just unprofessional.”

The 23,500-capacity arena, located opposite the Etihad Stadium, has been beset by numerous issues since it was supposed to open last month, including rows, controversy and teething problems. Aside from a test event featuring Rick Astley for which some tickets were cancelled, reducing the audience to 11,000, the venue has yet to run a show successfully on the day it was originally scheduled.

It was supposed to open with performances from Peter Kay on April 23 and 24, but the shows were moved to April 29 and 30 due to the venue’s power testing falling “a few days” behind schedule.

Later, a gig from The Black Keys that was scheduled for April 27 had to be moved to May 15, while the Peter Kay shows were moved again to May 23 and 24.

Last week, it was confirmed that Gary Roden, the boss of the new arena, had resigned following the plethora of issues.

The post Liam Gallagher jokes that he’ll play Lidl if Manchester Co-Op Live isn’t “sorted” for ‘Definitely Maybe’ dates appeared first on NME.