Liam Gallagher issues tongue-in-cheek warning to Manchester Co-op Live arena bosses: ‘I’ll gig in Lidl’

Rock star Liam Gallagher has weighed in on the ongoing drama at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, offering to play a gig at Lidl in June if the embattled venue still isn’t ready.

The former Oasis frontman is currently scheduled to perform at the newly built Co-op Live as part of his Definitely Maybe anniversary tour, on 15 and 16 June, then a further two dates on 27 and 28 June.

However, the venue is currently in crisis after a string of issues forced it to postpone major gigs by The Black Keys, Olivia Rodrigo, Peter Kay and rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.

This week, A Boogie’s show was cancelled after a piece of ventillation apparently fell from the ceiling during the rapper’s soundcheck, also prompting venue organisers to cancel Rodrigo’s show, as well.

Gallagher’s fans are now asking whether he thinks his planned performances will still be able to go ahead.

“I hope so,” he responded to one fan on X/Twitter, “surely they’ll have it sorted by then.”

Not long after his remark, an official press release went out from Lidl, gladly accepting Gallagher’s offer.

The supermarket suggested that the “Champagne Supernova” singer could tweak the song titles of some of his biggest hits in keeping with the shop theme, such as “Some Might Save”, “Tiger Roll with It”, and “Don’t Look Back in Hanger”.

Gallagher announced his Definitely Maybe tour in October last year, promising fans the opportunity to hear him perform hits from the definitive Nineties rock album.

“I’m bouncing around the house to announce the Definitely Maybe tour,” he said. “I wouldn’t be anywhere without [the album] and neither would you, so let’s celebrate together LG x.”

As well as seeing Liam perform the big hits from Definitely Maybe, fans will also get the chance to watch the rocker play rarely performed album tracks from the record and other Oasis deep cuts and B-sides from the same era the album was released.

Following the ventillation incident at the Co-op Live arena this week, the Co-operative Group said it was “shocked” and would seek a “full explanation” from OVG.

“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,” a spokesperson said.

“We will be seeking a full explanation from Oak View Group, 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.”