Blue plaque installed at Manchester Lidl to honor ‘almost’ Liam Gallagher who played there

A blue plaque has been installed at a Lidl supermarket in Manchester, commemorating the gig Liam Gallagher “almost” played there earlier this year.

Last month, the former Oasis frontman joked that if his show at the city’s Co-Op Live Arena wasn’t “sorted” in time then he would have to play in Lidl.

At the time, the Manchester venue was going through a torrid series of complications and delays as it tried to open its doors, prompting Gallagher to joke on social media.

Concert in LIDL

— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) May 2, 2024

And now the Newton Heath branch of the supermarket, closest to Co-Op Live, has unveiled a commemorative blue plaque, bearing the words ‘Liam Gallagher. The legend. “Almost played here.” June 2024.”

Finally, Gallagher’s arena shows are going ahead as planned, both tonight (June 15) and tomorrow night (June 16).

Co-Op Live is the largest indoor arena in the UK with a capacity of 23,500. He was due to debut with comedian Peter Kay on April 23 and 24. However, following a test event with Rick Astley on 22 April, his concerts were postponed until the end of April, with the venue citing technical issues.

Later, a concert by The Black Keys that was scheduled for April 27 had to be moved to May 15, and the Peter Kay shows were moved for a second time. After the second postponement, Kay shared a statement with fans, explaining that he was “disappointed” by the news.

Organizers initially assured ticket holders that all other shows scheduled for the new venue would go ahead as planned. However, they announced on May 1, just 10 minutes after the doors opened, that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s show had been canceled due to a “technical issue with the venue”. Soon after, they also canceled upcoming concerts by Olivia Rodrigo – who left her “so disappointed” – as well as shows by Keane and Take That, with the latter moving their dates to the rival AO Arena.

A spokesperson for the Co-Op Group was forced to clarify that they “do not own or operate” the Co-Op Live Arena and share the same sense of “disappointment” at the opening issues.

The venue itself has issued an official apology to fans, saying they are trying to “find a way to help remedy the situation”.

The venue was finally able to open with a show by Elbow on May 14, which NME awarded with four stars. “It’s a night of empathetic character studies, big-hearted honesty and detailed tracks, notably the synth-driven ‘Balu’, a bard tribute to hedonistic friends, while items like ‘Station Approach’ are coded. with the city’s DNA,” reads the review.

Liam Gallagher is currently on his ‘Definitely Maybe’ 30th Anniversary Tour across the UK and Ireland. During a show at London’s The O2 this week, he dedicated ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’ to Dave Grohl, which saw the Foo Fighters frontman dominate.

Gallagher performs “Definitely Maybe” in full on tour and airs numerous other tracks from that era, including Noel’s “Half The World Away” (which he dedicated to his estranged brother and former bandmate) and “Noel-era Oasis” . Lock All The Doors Demo.

You can see the full list of upcoming dates below and find all remaining tickets here.

JUNE 2024
15 – Co-Op Live, Manchester
16 – Co-Op Live, Manchester
19 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
20 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
23 – 3Arena, Dublin
24 – 3Arena, Dublin
27 – Co-Op Live, Manchester
28 – Co-Op Live, Manchester

In August, Liam Gallagher will also perform ‘Definitely Maybe’ in full when he headlines Reading & Leeds 2024. He also spoke about the chances of a ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory’ anniversary tour in 2025.