Concertgoers were supposed to have been allowed into the arena at 6.30pm tonight and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie was due to perform at 8pm, according to the venue's website.

However, a post on the venue's social media at 6.40pm told fans the gig had been cancelled, after fans had started to gather.

Those planning to go to Olivia Rodrigo's dates at the arena this weekend immediately shared concerns over whether they would go ahead and, within hours, their fears were confirmed.

"Due to an ongoing venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo's Guts World Tour on May 3 and 4 May are being postponed," the venue said in a statement on X.

"Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund at point of purchase."

Her Co-op Live gigs were two of the 10 UK dates on her European and US tour. The new dates are yet to be announced.

In an Instagram post after A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie's last-minute cancellation, the US rapper said issues were down to "something [that] happened with the venue while I was at soundcheck".

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"We are working on rescheduling in the next few days," he added. "I'm heated about the situation too, but safety first.

"Manchester, I got you. Just stay tuned for further info."

Co-op Live bosses had sought to reassure fans that tonight's show would go ahead and shared instructions for attendees just hours before the cancellation.

With a capacity of 23,500, the Co-op Live will be the UK's largest arena when it's fully open and was built at an estimated cost of £365m.

Headaches for the venue became clear last month when the capacity at a test event was reduced with just hours' notice.

Rick Astley had been due to perform to 11,000 arena workers and VIPs on 21 April but at the last minute, thousands of people saw their tickets cancelled.

The venue was due to fully open with Peter Kay stand-up shows on 23 and 24 April, but these dates were pushed back too amid behind-schedule tests and safety concerns.

Kay's fans were initially told the shows would take place just days later - but they were then postponed again, for a month's time.

US rock duo The Black Keys were among the acts due to take to the stage during Co-op Live's opening week. Their gig was previously pushed back to 15 May.

Co-op Live's general manager Gary Roden announced his resignation last week following the initial setbacks.