By Jenna Campbell

Copyright manchestereveningnews

It’s been two years since singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi graced the stage in Manchester, but this weekend, he makes a triumphant return to the city as he plays two-back-to-back shows at Co-op Live.

The Scottish singer-songwriter announced his comeback earlier this summer and will play 17 dates in total across the UK and Ireland. This week, as well as shows in Manchester on Saturday (September 20) and Sunday (September 21), Lewis will play a string of shows at London’s O2.

Lewis’ tour announcement came hot on the heels of his surprise Glastonbury performance at the end of June, in which he promised to “finish what I couldn’t finish before”, after struggling to get through his Pyramid Stage set back in 2023.

The same day that he made his surprise appearance at Glastonbury, he also released new music in the form of his single “Survive”, marking a dramatic end to his extended break from touring and making music to focus on his mental and physical health.

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Lewis has been open about his struggle with Tourette’s Syndrome and anxiety and after his 2023 Glastonbury performance he announced he was taking a break to work on things.

Until his retreat from the spotlight, it had been a whirlwind few years for Capaldi, that saw him making history, topping the charts and selling out arenas across the globe.

The two-time BRIT Award winner’s trailblazing debut album, ‘Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent’ was the top-selling album of 2019 and 2020, breaking the record for the most consecutive weeks in the chart for any solo artist.

In 2022, Capaldi returned with new music as his single ‘Forget Me’ went straight in at the top of the UK Singles Chart before announcing his sophomore album titled ‘Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent’.

Co-op Live bag policy

Co-op Live operates on a one bag per person policy. Small handbags are permitted as long as they are no larger than A4 in size. However, large bags, like backpacks and laptop bags, will not be allowed inside.

There will be limited bag storage on site priced from £15. This facility is located on Sir Howard Bernstein Way – opposite Gate J in the Orange Car Park on the Etihad Campus.

Can you take in your own food and drink?

Food and beverage (including containers for storing food and beverage) are not allowed unless certain exceptions outlined in Co-op Live’s T&Cs here.

If you need to bring anything from outside because of special dietary or medical requirements, you are advised to contact the venue in advance of your visit and speak to staff at the door on arrival.

There are several refillable water points across the arena for you to use, and you may bring in an empty small collapsible water bottle.

With a number of bars and stalls inside the venue, there’s a variety of food and drink options too.

Pies and burgers form part of the food menu, whilst there will be your usual selection of beers, soft drinks and wine available from the bars located around the venue. You can view the most recent prices here.

Banned items

If you are going to the Co-op Live arena you are required to agree to a personal or item search.

Members of staff can remove items such as: food, glass, bottles, cans, alcohol, large umbrellas, lighters, disposable vapes, professional cameras, plastic bottle tops, and recording equipment.

Devices like laptops, iPads, Go Pros, and similar items are also not allowed, unless pre-approved for medical reasons. Assistance dogs are the only animals permitted inside the venue.

Weapons ammunition explosives horns whistles drums fireworks flagpole any other item which in their reasonable opinion, may cause danger or disruption to any event or other visitors (regardless of whether such item is illegal or is carried for specific purposes).

Can you smoke in the venue?

Co-op Live is a no-smoking venue, including all e-cigarettes and vapes.

If you are attending an event, you can’t leave and re-enter once you’ve gone through the ticket check.

Can you use cash in the venue?

Co-op Live is a cashless venue. All payments must be made by contactless, card, and the venue also accepts Apple and Google Pay.