View source for O2 Apollo Manchester

{{Short description|Concert venue in Manchester, England}}
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{{primary sources|date=October 2015}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2020}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = O<sub>2</sub> Apollo Manchester
| native_name = 
| native_name_lang = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| image = O2 Apollo, Manchester.jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = Façade of O<sub>2</sub> Apollo Manchester, 2015
| mapframe = no
| former_names = {{Nowrap|Apollo Theatre (1938–1962; 2010) <br/> ABC Ardwick (1962–1977)<br/> Manchester Apollo (1977–1994)<br/> Labatts Apollo (1994–1998)<br/>Manchester Apollo (1999–2003)<br/>Carling Apollo Manchester (2003–2010)}}
| address = Stockport Road, [[Ardwick Green]],<br/>[[Manchester]], M12 6AP, England
| city = 
| country = 
| designation = 
| architect = [[Peter Cummings (architect)|Peter Cummings]]<br/> Alex Irvine<br/>R. Gillespie Williams
| owner = 
| tenant = 
| operator = [[Live Nation (events promoter)|Live Nation]]
| capacity = 3,500, (2,693 when fully seated)<ref name=OfficialSite>{{cite web |url=https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2apollomanchester/venue-info |title=Venue amenities |access-date=13 September 2024 |publisher=O2 Apollo Manchester }}</ref>
| type = 
| opened = {{Start date|1938|08|29|df=yes}}<ref>{{Harvnb|Rudyard|Wyke|1994|p=27}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|academymusicgroup.com/o2apollomanchester/}}
| embedded = {{Designation list
 | embed                = yes
 | designation1         = Grade II Listed Building
 | designation1_offname = Apollo Theatre
 | designation1_date    = 5 June 1994
 | designation1_number  = {{NHLE|num=1254683|short=y|postscript=none}}
 }}
}}
The '''O<sub>2</sub> Apollo Manchester''' (known locally as '''The Apollo''' and formerly '''Manchester Apollo''' and '''ABC Ardwick''') is a concert venue in [[Ardwick Green]], [[Manchester]], England. It is a Grade II [[listed building]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apollo Theatre, Manchester |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-457758-apollo-theatre- |work=British Listed Buildings |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> with a capacity of 3,500 (2,514 standing, 986 seats).<ref name=OfficialSite /><ref name="Carling">{{cite web |url=http://www.carling.com/music/venue/manchester_apollo.html |title=Manchester Apollo |publisher=Carling |access-date=4 July 2009 |archive-date=19 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619014016/http://www.carling.com/music/venue/manchester_apollo.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
The building was designed by architects [[Peter Cummings (architect)|Peter Cummings]], Alex Irvine, and R. Gillespie Williams, in an [[Art Deco]] style.<ref name="harwood19">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XarDDwAAQBAJ |chapter=Apollo Cinema / O2 Apollo |title=Art Deco Britain: Buildings of the interwar years |first=Elain |last=Harwood |author-link=Elain Harwood |publisher=[[Pavilion Books]] |year=2019 |isbn=978-1849946537 |pages=200–201}}</ref> The building's frontage consists of a glazed white terracotta [[façade]]. Its original purpose was as a multi-purpose cinema and variety hall and was opened on 29 August 1938 by actress [[Margaret Lockwood]].<ref name=MEN2018>{{cite news |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/manchesters-iconic-apollo-theatre-80-15088342 |title=Manchester's iconic Apollo Theatre is 80 years old |publisher=Manchester Evening News |first=John |last=Scheerhout |date=29 August 2018 |access-date=26 February 2023}}</ref>

It was taken over by [[ABC Cinemas|Associated British Cinemas]] in 1943, but it began to host pop concerts in the 1960s.<ref name=MEN2018/> The [[Beatles]] performed at two shows at the ABC Ardwick on 20 November 1963 which were filmed, in colour.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live: ABC Cinema, Manchester Wednesday 20 November 1963 |url=https://www.beatlesbible.com/1963/11/20/live-abc-cinema-manchester/ |work=The Beatles Bible |access-date=26 February 2023}}</ref> They performed here again on 7 December 1965.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live: ABC Cinema, Manchester Tuesday 7 December 1965 |url=https://www.beatlesbible.com/1965/12/07/live-abc-cinema-manchester-3/ |work=The Beatles Bible |access-date=26 February 2023}}</ref>

[[The Rolling Stones]] performed at the ABC Ardwick with [[Ike & Tina Turner]], [[The Yardbirds]], and [[Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers|Peter Jay & the New Jaywalkers]] on 28 September 1966.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rolling Stones/Ike and Tina Turner/Yardbirds ABC Ardwick Concert Handbill (1966) |url=https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/music-memorabilia/posters/rolling-stones-ike-and-tina-turner-yardbirds-abc-ardwick-concert-handbill-1966-/a/696-51226.s |website=Heritage Auctions}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 September 1966 |title=ABC Ardwick - Wed, Sep 28 - The Rolling Stones (Advertisement) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/manchester-evening-news-the-rolling-ston/139979850/ |access-date=1 February 2024 |work=Manchester Evening News |pages=2}}</ref>
 
In the 1970s, it stopped presenting films and became solely a concert venue.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=We Love Manchester {{!}} O2 Apollo Manchester |url=https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2apollomanchester/about-us |access-date=12 March 2024 |website=academymusicgroup.com}}</ref>

It also hosts seated events to a capacity of 2,693.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Venue website |url=https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2apollomanchester/venue-info}}</ref> Split into two levels, the upstairs contains permanently fitted seating, whereas the larger downstairs can be altered to suit the event; both levels view a single concert stage. The venue has no air-conditioning except in the "Whiteroom" hospitality area.

It was the biggest venue in Manchester before the [[Manchester Central Convention Complex|GMEX]] in 1986, and then the 23,000 capacity (formerly 21,000 capacity) NYNEX Arena, now [[AO Arena]], opened in 1995.<ref name=MEN2018/> The largest venue in Manchester is now the [[Co-op Live]] Arena with a capacity of 23,500.

The venue hosts a large number of [[popular music]]-based concerts and other events throughout the year.<ref name=":0" />

Concert management and advertisement is handled by [[Live Nation]], merchandise is sold by the permanent resident concession company CMI Ltd, and [[first aid]] cover for all events is provided by [[St John Ambulance (England and the Islands)|St. John Ambulance]].

In September 2010, the venue was rebranded as the O<sub>2</sub> Apollo Manchester, following a sponsorship deal with [[O2 (UK)|O<sub>2</sub>]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manchester Apollo gets O2 tag |url=https://completemusicupdate.com/article/manchester-apollo-gets-o2-tag/ |work=CMU |date=9 September 2010 |access-date=26 February 2023}}</ref><ref name=MEN2018/>

==See also==
{{Portal|Greater Manchester}}
*[[Listed buildings in Manchester-M12]]

==References==
;Notes
{{Reflist}}
;Bibliography
{{Refbegin}}
*{{citation |last1=Rudyard |first1=Nigel |last2=Wyke |first2=Terry |title=Manchester Theatres |year=1994 |publisher=Bibliography of North West England |isbn=0-947969-18-7}}
{{Refend}}
{{Coord|53|28|11|N|2|13|20|W|type:landmark_region:GB-MAN|display=title}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|http://www.o2apollomanchester.co.uk/}}

{{Academy Music Group venues}}
{{Live Nation}}
{{Manchester B&S}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1938 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1938]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in Manchester]]
[[Category:Former cinemas in Manchester]]
[[Category:Music venues in Manchester]]
[[Category:Art Deco architecture in England]]
[[Category:Wrestling venues in the United Kingdom]]