Review: Barry Manilow brings the magic to Co-op Live

With a sold-out crowd all waving illuminated glow sticks to techno beats, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in a rave at the new Co-op Live. But no, this was the stage to welcome Barry Manilow to the stage in Manchester for this, billed as “His Last, Last Tour”.

Barry cuts a remarkable figure on stage – looking, dancing and sounding like a man in his mid-80s. Rather fitting that his opening number is to say “It’s a miracle.”

He seems genuinely moved by the response from this crowd of die-hard fans saying “I really can’t believe this”.

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He’s also quite impressed with the Co-op Live arena: “It’s a beautiful place, I’m really glad we’re here at the start of it,” he says (with all the memories of the opening dramas now apparently a thing of the past). He even says he’s looking forward to coming back here in a bit of a tease to fans that this may not be the last, last tour after all.

It was also a remarkably perfect entrance for the majority of fans making their way to the new arena – at the same time Man City fans were pouring into the neighboring Etihad Stadium, celebrating their league win.

Although there was to be no impromptu Blue Moon chorus or any mention of Barry’s leg.

Instead, Barry’s set is a choice mix of his classic ballads and greatest hits, mixed with his witty quips and willingness to laugh at himself.

“I have a question for you guys, does anyone like music that came out in the 70’s?” He gives a huge cheer. “Well, you’ve come to the right place for that,” he adds before launching into Looks Like We Made It.

As anyone who’s ever been to a Barry show knows, there are also the heartwarming stories of how this Brooklyn boy’s musical career began.

It includes the tender moment recorded when young Barry first sang for his grandfather, building to an emotional crescendo of This One’s For You.

“I’m so glad you still like these songs!” he exclaimed. And it looks like he’s still having a ball up there singing them.

He explains to his adoring audience that after “a million albums” he wants to play some rarely played songs for this tour. That means some choice treats for fans too, of course, like the greatest hits.

There’s a standing ovation and a thunder of feet for the likes of Bermuda Triangle, Can’t Smile Without You and Tryin’ to Get The Feeling.

“I first played in Manchester in 1982, I was only 16,” he joked. “It didn’t even grow in my nose at that age.”

He says how important Manchester has been to his gigs over the years.

“I never thought I’d have a relationship with a city,” he enthuses before launching into, what else for Manchester, I Made it Through the Rain.

Of course, the glow sticks (given out free at the door) were put to full use for the Copacabana finale, with Barry returning to the stage in full feather jacket.

Before his final bow, he insisted “I’m not retiring,” so maybe this isn’t quite the last, last tour after all. When it looks and sounds this good, why stop now?

Setlist

It is a miracle

I am your man

I can’t smile without you

Somewhere in the night

daybreak

Looks like I did

Sweet Heaven (I’m in Love Again)

Sing it

This is for you

The Bermuda Triangle

Even now

The one that got away

Who slept in my bed?

Trying to get the feeling

Dancing down the aisle

Dancing in the street

It could be magical

I did it in the rain

Mandy / It could be magic

I write the songs

Copacabana

It’s a Miracle (Repeat)