The Arena's Grand Entrance
Music industry Trailblazer Tim Leiweke crafts melodious successes
The stage is set for another night under Co-op Live's roof. As I saunter in, workers finish the final touches on Bruce Springsteen's upcoming gig – the first of three shows at Europe's largest indoor entertainment venue.
A quick glance around reveals those familiar Fido patrols, winding their way through the maze of seats – a stark reminder of the essential security measures that organizers regularly implement after the tragic Manchester Arena bombing eight years ago that took the lives of 22 concertgoers.
But this isn't just another day for Tim Leiweke. As the enigmatic American CEO of Oak View Group, the entertainment juggernaut running Co-op Live, he's basking in the news that the venue has just been named the top arena in the United Kingdom and Europe, having sold over a million tickets and grossing £87 million in its debut year.
It's a considerable shift from the tumultuous launch of Co-op Live, marred by technical delays, safety concerns, and a string of cancellations that left many wondering if the venue would ever open its doors.
"Everyone was questioning whether we would manage to get it open or not," Leiweke recounts. After a dozen setbacks, the troubled arena, which cost £450 million to build, finally opened with Elbow taking the stage.
He insists he kept reassuring Elbow's lead singer, Guy Garvey: "It's going to be ready, trust me!"
Garvey wasn't the only one lending a hand amid the chaos.
"Paul McCartney gave us a favor and played two nights in December," Leiweke shares in his deep southern drawl. And Springsteen, who was booked for the opening, rescheduled his show after Leiweke convinced him to experience "the world's best acoustics arena."
Leiweke’s extensive connections and clout – not just in the music scene – played a significant role in navigating the crisis. Known as David Beckham's "American mentor," he guided the ex-Manchester Utd and England footballer from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy, which was owned by AEG he led at the time. He still maintains regular contact with Beckham.
His experience and relationships came in handy during the Co-op Live drama.
The Art of Patience
"When you've been in the business for 45 years, the good news is you develop lots of solid relationships," Leiweke muses.
"Treat people well, honor your word, and build the best acoustical arena, and artists will want to perform here."
Co-op Live marks Leiweke's 20th entertainment venue, including London's O2 Arena, which he transformed from the ailing Millennium Dome as CEO of AEG.
"I've built more venues than anyone on Earth. It takes patience," he adds. Leiweke points out that there's "never been a perfect" launch and cites Tottenham and Wembley football grounds as examples of other delayed openings.
He also commends the perseverance of Co-op Live's backers, who stayed put despite the arena's initial struggles.
"I promised them to trust me, and they stayed the course," Leiweke says. "We built this arena for 50 years, not 30 days."
The lessons learned won't be lost on the Co-op as they grapple with the aftermath of a recent cyberattack.
Some of Leiweke's confidence in the arena's capability can be attributed to its unique acoustical bowl, which minimizes background noise and creates an intimate atmosphere for artists and audience alike.
"It's a black box, like it's a theater," he gushes. "Its design ensures that Bruce feels as though he can reach out and touch every single one of the 24,000 attendees."
Backstage, it's like stepping into a five-star hotel with 13 hospitality lounges (or "clubs"), 14 dressing rooms, a gym, and even a recording studio. Leiweke says, "It’s like a city back there."
It seems to have resonated with artists, with range from opera legend Andrea Bocelli saying it had "the best soundcheck he'd ever heard" to Liam Gallagher of Oasis remarking that only NY's Madison Square Garden could compare.
"We knew we had something special," Leiweke confesses. "We knew it would shine through. We just had to attract artists and audiences."
In its first year, Co-op Live has already given the local economy a £1.3 billion boost as concertgoers spent their money in Manchester's bars, clubs, and restaurants. Leiweke notes that the arena and its nearby 460-room hotel – due to open next year – were built without a single penny of taxpayer subsidy.
As for his future projects, Leiweke's sights are set on London, where he plans to construct even larger arenas to challenge the city's current 20,000-seater venues.
"New York and Los Angeles each have four such venues," he observes, “while London has only one" – a challenge that Leiweke seems eager to tackle.
For now, though, the focus remains on Co-op Live – the venue that weathered the storm and came out stronger, ready to dazzle for years to come.
As Muhammad Ali once told him, the mark of a great champion is not the boxer who's never been knocked down but the one who gets knocked down and keeps on getting up. "That advice was perfect for this building," Leiweke reflects. "When you get knocked down, pick yourself up and keep fighting.”
- Tim Leiweke, the American CEO of Oak View Group, sees Co-op Live's financial success, with over a million tickets sold and £87 million grossed in its debut year, as an opportunity to invest in the entertainment industry further.
- In contrast to the initial concerns about the financial viability of Co-op Live, Leiweke's extensive network and connections in the entertainment business, including musicians like Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen, have proven instrumental in establishing the venue as a popular choice for artists.
- The success of Co-op Live, both financially and in terms of artist appeal, has led Leiweke to consider expanding his ventures into London's finance and business sectors, aiming to construct larger arenas to compete with the city's existing venues and refresh the entertainment landscape.
