After weeks of delays, Manchester's new £365m arena has finally opened its doors. The venue, billed as the 'most expensive' arena built outside North America, will host local heroes Elbow as their headline act tonight (May 14).

After a number of false starts, which have seen gigs cancelled, postponed and rescheduled over the last few weeks, bosses at the flagship venue assured fans on Friday that the gig would be going ahead following a safety inspection, and the Bury band told fans they were 'ready'.

Two weeks ago, Co-op Live, now the UK's largest music and entertainment venue, postponed its opening show for a third time after part of the ventilation and air conditioning system fell to the ground from the ceiling during a soundcheck for A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie's May 1 show. Co-op Live has now said it is “satisfied” the issue was an “isolated manufacturing default” following an inspection.

READ MORE: Elbow at Co-op Live - seating plan, support, set times, parking and everything you need to know

Issues for the landmark gig venue began following a test event headlined by Rick Astley on Saturday, April 20, as problems with the electricity supply and communications saw the capacity have to be reduced from 11,000 to 4,000, with a number of ticket holders turned away from the venue.

Peter Kay's planned two shows on April 23 and 24 were postponed and put back a week to 29 and 30 April, and the venue's General Manager Gary Roden resigned following backlash against him claiming to the BBC that grassroots music venues were often "poorly run."

Peter Kay's rescheduled dates were then moved to May 23 and 24, as the venue was still not ready, while The Black Keys saw their April 27 moved to May 15. Pushing the opening to May 1, American rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was due to open the venue but just over an hour before he was set to perform, a component of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system fell from a ceiling, and the gig was cancelled.

A string of shows were then postponed or moved including Olivia Rodrigo and Keane, while five of Take That's seven homecoming shows and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie were moved to the AO Arena.

After three tumultuous weeks the venue has said it is confident that the Elbow will be opening the arena this evening. It said on Friday (May 10) they they, Manchester City Council and other ''responsible authorities" were satisfied at the outcome of an investigation that found the issue with the air conditioning unit was an 'isolated manufacturing default' and that they were looking forward to welcoming fans.

Tonight, the opening baton is passed - rather serendipitously - to much-loved Greater Manchester act. Doors for Elbow's show open at 6:30pm with the first act due on stage at 7:40pm, with the Bury band taking to the stage around 8:40pm.

Follow our live blog below for the latest updates through the day.

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Key Events

KEY EVENT

REVIEW: Elbow bring an uplifting note as Co-op Live puts opening misery behind it

Here is our review of tonight's Elbow gig.

READ BELOW:

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James Holt

And that's a wrap!

Elbow's gig, the first at Co-op Live, has now finished.

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James Holt

“We love you Manchester, thank you so much"

The crowd are joining in with the final song of the night

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James Holt

“You’ve house-warmed this wonderful venue”

Elbow's massive gig is coming to a close.

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James Holt

Pictures from the Co-op Live Arena tonight

Elbow are wowing crowds at their gig tonight! Here are some of our best pictures.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
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KEY EVENT

Customers arrive to their seats being covered by huge sheet

A number of customers arriving for tonight's Elbow gig were left shocked after their seats had been covered by a huge sheet.

Those sitting in Block 102 were baffled after their numbered, allocated seats were blocked off by the tarpaulin.

"Complete shambles in block 102… partially covered by tarp and no one knows why. We paid for seats we can’t sit in. Being moved constantly with no viable alternative" one person posted to social media site X, formerly Twitter.

Co-op Live later confirmed that the drapes, covering some sold seats, were removed as soon as it was brought to the attention of staff in the venue.

"The drapes were covering some seats that were sold, and were moved as soon as this was brought to our attention," a spokesperson said. "Everyone is sitting in the seats that they bought".

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Thomas George

'Huge crowd reaction' as first concert begins

There was a huge reaction from the crowd as Elbow took to the stage just after 9pm, reports the M.E.N.'s What's On Editor Jenna Campell.

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Thomas George

'Let’s open this venue properly'

This is the moment Elbow took to the stage at Co-op Live a short time ago.

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Thomas George

'Truly magnificent'

The concert is now in full swing, with fans seemingly impressed by Manchester's new arena.

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KEY EVENT

Opening show finally under way

After weeks of delays and setbacks, Bury band Elbow have taken to the stage for the opening show at Co-op Live.

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Thomas George

More photos of concert-goers arriving

(Image: Manchester Evening News)
(Image: PA)
(Image: PA)
(Image: PA)
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Thomas George

'Build a rocket boys'

Elbow fans are ready to go!

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Thomas George

Arena bowl filling up

The bowl is starting to fill up as fans wait patiently for Elbow to take to the Co-op Live stage.

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Thomas George

More glimpses of the new arena

Here's another view from inside Co-op Live as the venue starts to fill up.

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Thomas George

It's getting busy...

This is the scene inside the entrance area at Co-op Live with less than 20 minutes to go until Elbow are due to take the stage.

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Thomas George

Reports of long queues outside the arena

There are reports of lengthy queues outside Co-op Live as fans prepare to enter the arena this evening.

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Thomas George

Seats with cup holders

Well, this is a gamechanger...

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Thomas George

More bar spaces

Here are some more of the bar spaces where fans can grab a drink at Co-op Live. This time on Level 2.

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Thomas George

Support act on stage

The WAEVE are entertaining those who have made it to the Co-op Live early this evening. Elbow are due to take to the stage in just under an hour.

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Thomas George

Fans pictured inside the bowl

Plenty of fans are already inside the bowl at Co-op Live watching tonight's support act - London-based band The WAEVE - who have taken to the stage within the last few minutes.

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Thomas George

Merch stands up and running

The merch stands inside Co-op Live are up and running.

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Thomas George

More food and drink outlets

The new arena certainly doesn't seem to be short of places to grab a drink and a bite to eat.

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Thomas George

Views from inside the arena

Here's a view of The Street, the huge entrance area at the Co-op Live, which thousands of fans will be passing through over the next few hours.

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Thomas George

VIP food offering

Those tater tots look pretty damn good...

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Thomas George

Food and drink vouchers

Fans entering the arena are being given a voucher for a free drink or snack.

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Thomas George

'The doors are open, and we're in'

Chris Slater is on reviewing duties for tonight's show. He's inside the arena and raring to go.

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Thomas George

Food and drink prices

These are just some of the eye-watering food and drink prices inside the VIP area at Co-op Live...

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Thomas George

VIP sneak peek

Jenna's found her way into one of the VIP areas at Co-op Live. Here's a sneak peek at how the other half live.

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Thomas George

Images show fans arriving at Co-op Live

As anticipation builds ahead of tonight's opening show, here are some shots of fans arriving at the new arena.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
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Thomas George

First fans enter the arena

The doors are open and the first fans are now heading inside the venue ahead of tonight's concert.

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