Audio

Take That at AO Arena, Manchester – seating plan, stage times and more after gigs shift from Co-op Live arena

THOUSANDS of people will head to the AO Arena for these three this week.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 6th May 2024

There aren’t many bands who can sell out SEVEN arena shows in Manchester – but Take That is clearly one of them.

Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald were set to perform a staggering run of shows across May and June at the Co-op Live – but we all know what happened there.

Their first five gigs have now been moved to the AO Arena instead, and will officially kick off on Tuesday 7 May.

It’s a huge homecoming gig for the trio, who’ll be performing hits from their whopping nine studio albums.

Ever since their comeback in 2006 they’ve become one of the biggest and best-selling pop groups on the planet, with almost every album topping the charts and reaching Platinum status.

But change of venue for Take That has meant thousands of tickets have been reallocated, and there is a date change in the mix too.

If you’re one of the lucky ones to bag tickets for Take That’s This Life On Tour tour in Manchester, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know.

What dates are Take That performing in Manchester?

The AO Arena in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Co-op Live WILL open this week, it has assured fans. Credit: The Manc Group
Take That’s first batch of Manchester gigs have moved from the Co-op Live (right) to the AO Arena. Credit: The Manc Group

At AO Arena

  • Tuesday 7 May
  • Thursday 9 May (rescheduled from Wednesday 8 May)
  • Friday 10 May
  • Saturday 11 May
  • Sunday 12 May

At Co-op Live

  • Tuesday 11 June
  • Wednesday 12 June

How to get your new tickets after venue change from Co-op Live

If you had tickets for the group’s original planned shows at the new Co-op Live arena, you’re probably wondering how the venue change will work.

Any tickets that were purchased through Ticketmaster will automatically change in your account in the next few days (if they haven’t already).

If you have any queries about your ticket, contact your point of purchase.

What if your new seats for Take That are worse than your original booking?

Take That will bring their huge 2024 tour to Manchester this week. Credit: Publicity picture
Take That will bring their huge 2024 tour to Manchester this week. Credit: Publicity picture

Ooh yeah, this has been a bit of a sore subject for Take That fans, some of whom have found themselves in much worse seats than they initially paid for.

That’s down to the different layouts of the two arenas, and the fact that the AO Arena is slightly smaller than Co-op Live.

The AO Arena has asked ticketing providers to reallocate seats as fairly as possible, keeping seats as close to the original booking as they can.

The arena said in a statement to one disgruntled fan: “We appreciate your frustration and advise you contact your provider to discuss further.”

On their FAQ page, it states: “The transfer process takes into account the position of previous tickets, and the number of tickets in the individual booking.

:However, each venue is different in their block row and seat configuration, which will undoubtedly mean that some fans won’t get exactly what they had for the original show.”

If you’re one of the affected people who’s not happy with your new seat, you need to contact your ticket provider directly for help and advice.

What to do if you can’t make the rescheduled date

Most of the Take That shows have remained on their original dates, simply switching from Co-op Live arena to the AO Arena.

But the show originally scheduled for Wednesday 8 May has unfortunately had to be rearranged to Thursday 9 May.

If the new date doesn’t work for you, refunds are available from your point of purchase.

Seating plan at the AO Arena for Take That’s Manchester gigs

The exact venue layout for Take That at the AO Arena hasn’t actually been released by Ticketmaster at the time of writing.

But after decades hosting some of the biggest acts in the world, the venue is pretty familiar to most of us at this point.

The below chart is the one for Girls Aloud, which is also being staged as a fully seated concert.

Take That have been making use of a B Stage in the heart of the floor audience too, which will likely be added to their Manchester gig.

Who is supporting Take That at their Manchester shows?

In an effort to create the most chart-friendly, crowd-pleasing, middle-of-the-road pop night of all time, Take That have recruited Olly Murs as their support act.

The former X Factor alumni headlined arenas across the UK in 2023 with his Marry Me tour, and now he’s back to warm up the crowds for Take That.

You can expect to hear some of the 39-year-old’s biggest hits, including Please Don’t Let Me Go, Heart Skips a Beat, and Dear Darlin.

What is Take That’s expected setlist?

Take That have already performed multiple dates on this tour, so we’ve got a good idea of what their setlist in Manchester will look like.

  • Keep Your Head Up
  • Windows
  • Giants
  • Days I Hate Myself
  • Everything Changes
  • Sure
  • Shine
  • A Million Love Songs
  • I Found Heaven
  • Pray
  • Forever Love (Gary Barlow song)
  • Clementine (Mark Owen song)
  • Speak Without Words (unreleased Howard Donald song)
  • Patience
  • The Flood
  • Get Ready for It
  • March of the Hopeful
  • The Champion
  • This Life
  • Greatest Day
  • These Days
  • Time and Time Again
  • Relight My Fire
  • One More Word
  • Hold Up a Light
  • Back for Good
  • Never Forget
  • Rule the World

What will the stage times be for Take That at the AO Arena Manchester?

  • Doors – 6pm
  • Olly Murs – 7.20pm
  • Take That – 8.35pm
  • Curfew – 11pm

*Stage times are often subject to change so allow plenty of time to get into the arena.

Are there still tickets for Take That?

At the minute, tickets have been taken off sale for Take That, presumably while the AO Arena and Ticketmaster deal with transferring tickets from one arena to the other.

But given that Co-op Live was completely sold out, and the AO Arena is smaller, there are unlikely to be any tickets remaining.

Your one remaining chance may be some re-released tickets from those who can no longer make the rearranged date, or reliable re-sale sites.

Is tram travel included with your gig ticket?

As part of Co-op Live’s huge opening season, they announced free tram travel for gig-goers in a partnership with TfGM.

Thankfully, this is being honoured for the shows that have switched to the AO Arena.

Tram travel around Greater Manchester is included with event tickets for four hours before and after Take That on Tuesday 7, Thursday 9, Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May.

Read more

Featured image: Publicity picture

Audio

Beloved British boy band Five are BACK in FULL for the first time in 25 years

Danny Jones Danny Jones All original members of boy band Five reuniting for UK tour

No, your eyes don’t deceive you: all five members of the beloved British boy band Five are set to reunite for the first time in a quarter of a century.

Formed way back in 1997 and dominating the charts throughout the period in and around the millennium, the iconic pop group was the UK’s answer to the Backstreet Boys and NSNYC, as well as a much-needed replacement for Take That just after their split.

And they did exactly that for a number of years, with hit tracks like ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Keep On Movin”, ‘Everybody Get Up’, ‘If Ya Gettin’ Down’ and more still firmly stuck in our memories.

It doesn’t matter how long it’s been, we still remember all the words and the dance moves to go along with them – and we’ll be able to prove it when the Five UK reunion tour comes to Manchester.

Although the London-formed group has reformed every now and again in different configurations over the years for special occasions, anniversary events, etc., this is the first time that the original lineup has been together for 25 whole years.

That’s right, Abz Love, J Brown, Ritchie Neville, Scott Robinson and Sean Conlon will all be reuniting on stage for a limited UK arena tour – because anything less simply wouldn’t be enough to mark this throwback celebration.

More importantly, if you don’t think every single one of these massive rooms is going to sell out in a flash, then you clearly can’t count to five.

As for the Manchester crowd, fans will be welcomed inside the equally legendary AO Arena for the ‘KEEP ON MOVIN’ 2025’ Tour later this year and we can’t wait.

Fellow domestic DJ and producer Naughty Boy will also be joining them as the main support act. We’re rolling back all the memories this autumn.

You can see the rest of the tour dates below, including equally massive shows at The O2 in London, the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, a First Direct Arena date in Leeds and more.

Scott says: “This has been a long time coming and it really does feel right for all of us now – 25 years on and we’re so ready for it. Reconnecting as a 5 over the last year has been special and I know I speak for all the boys when I say we can’t wait to do this all over again. Hope you’re ready!”

Another fifth of the throwback boy band, Abz, added: “We really can’t wait to get back on stage together & see the fans, it’s gonna go OFF! Buzzing to have Naughty Boy on tour with us too… 5 bad boys and a naughty boy, that sounds like a lot of fun. Let’s gooooo!”

General admission for Five’s 2025 UK reunion tour goes live on Friday, 7 March from 10am but die-hards can access the exclusive pre-sale window on Wednesday, 5 March by signing up for the mailing list.

You can get ready to grab your tickets HERE.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)

Audio

2000s indie rock icons The Enemy continue comeback trail with must-not-miss UK tour

Danny Jones Danny Jones The Enemy UK tour dates 2025

For fans of old-school indie and noughties contemporary rock, you do not want to miss the one because The Enemy are not just back making music but they’re heading out on a pretty big UK tour and, of course, they’ll be stopping right here in Manchester.

The Enemy first reformed back in 2022 for a limited run of shows, but it turns out the Coventry-formed trio were satisfied with a one-off reunion and a fifth studio album officially being worked on, the fierce Brit rock throwbacks have announced a series of pretty large UK tour dates.

Following on from some hugely successful comeback performances at TRNSMT, Isle Of Wight and a headline slot at Godiva Festival 2023, not to mention the instantly hit ‘Indie Til I Die’ shows last year – including an absolute stormer at Victoria Warehouse – they returning for more.

If you saw the scenes at that most recent gig, you’ll know that skipping this one just isn’t an option.

One of the few bands to make their way back to the live music circuit fully intact, with all three members still performing together, nothing has changed other than a few more grey hairs.

If you weren’t there at the outset, The Enemy’s debut LP We’ll Live And Die In These Towns (2007) was one of the most seminal domestic releases of its time, with songs like ‘You’re Not Alone’ going on to become indie anthems of the era.

To be honest, we’d argue their sophomore outing Music For The People just two years later is the better album, with tracks such as ‘Be Somebody’, ‘Elephant Song’ and ‘No Time for Tears’ still in plenty of our playlists to this day – but, you know, each to their own.

The point is, we’re very glad these lads are back and having played with everyone from Oasis and The Killers to even The Rolling Stones, we’d wager lots of other music lovers are too.

Set to play New Century Hall in Manchester as well as the legendary Leadmill in Sheffield, Beckett Students’ Union in Leeds, Rock City in Nottingham and more, it’s going to be a big tour.

Frontman Tom Clarke, who has put out two solo records of his own in past years, said of the announcement: “We’ve been working long days in the studio recording new material, so we’re really excited to get out on the road again.

“The plan is to experiment with some of the new tunes, maybe different ones on different shows to see how the crowds react and which ones connect with fans, and let that guide the track listing on the record which is nearing completion.”
 
Co-songwriter and bass player, Andy Hopkins, added: talking about the upcoming tour: “My favourite part of being in a band is having those nights with the fans where the atmosphere is electric – I think this tour is going to be really special for the 3 of us.

“It’ll be the first time we’ve been back to some of these cities in a long time, in venues we absolutely love and have been really important to us on the way up – Electric Ballroom was the first venue we ever played in London supporting The Fratellis, I drove us there with all the amps & guitars in my Fiesta!”
 

Read more:

The Enemy come to New Century, one of our favourite live music venues in all of Greater Manchester, on Saturday, 1 November.

Pre-sale has already been snapped up in the blink of an eye, which is no surprise whatsoever, but general admission will go live from 10am this Friday, 28 February.

You can get ready to grab your tickets HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Emilie Cotterill (supplied)/Audio North

More Audio

The Charlatans

Affiliate

The Charlatans to play huge outdoor Manchester gig at Castlefield Bowl this summer

Affiliate

Mercury Prize-winners English Teacher announce big Manchester gig next year

Green Island Festival 2025 fifth anniversary tickets

Affiliate

One the best in the North: Green Island celebrates fifth anniversary with biggest music festival yet

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches