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Barry Manilow has to book back-up venue after artists forced to cancel gigs at Manchester's Co-Op Live arena due to 'ongoing technical issues'

Now Manilow, 80, has revealed he has also booked the AO Arena in the city in case the new venue, due to open on May 14 after a 'short pause', is not ready for his show on May 19.

Several artists, including Olivia Rodrigo and Take That, have had to move or cancel their gigs due to 'ongoing technical issues' at the country's biggest indoor arena in Manchester. A statement from Copacabana singer Manilow's husband and manager Garry Kief said his team shared the 'concerns' of fans. Tim Leiweke, chairman and chief executive of US-based venue operator Oak View Group, said: 'It's not been the smooth start we had planned for.'

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