A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie performs at Manchester AO Arena after Co-op Live chaos

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie delivered his awaited show to thousands at Manchester AO Arena after the US rapper’s gig was moved from the crisis-hit Co-op Live music venue.

The rapper was due to kick off the new £365 million venue’s string of concerts on Wednesday, but his show was cancelled at the last minute due to a “technical issue” during soundcheck. The announcement came just over an hour before he was due to take to the stage, frustrating many fans who had already arrived at the venue.

It is understood that a nozzle from the ventilation and air conditioning system fell to the ground from the ceiling shortly before the event was due to take place. The American rapper said at the time he was “heated” about having to cancel the show and that they were working on rescheduling it.

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On Thursday he announced that the concert had been rescheduled for Saturday at another Manchester venue – AO Arena. In a post to X, he added: “We won’t give up that easy let’s go!”

Following the announcement, the AO Arena said they were “excited to welcome @ArtistHBTL and his fans to AO Arena” in a post on X. “It’s going to be a brilliant night and we can’t wait to see you all here”, it added.

Videos shared by fans on social media of Saturday’s concert show a packed crowd chanting back the lyrics of his songs including Look Back At It and Drowning. The high-octane show also featured stage theatrics of billowing smoke and rapidly moving laser lights.

Manchester Evening News journalists who were reporting from outside the AO Arena last night shared how ticketholders were 'devastated' by the Co-op Live cancellation, but say it's 'amazing the AO