Co-op Live: Elbow open new Manchester arena after venue’s delays

Mr Leiweke said there had been “no way” they could have known one of 95 pre-manufactured filters wasn’t installed correctly.

“They didn’t put the bolts in. It wasn’t visible to the eye,” he said. “And it fell out.”

He sought to reassure fans that they had since “double checked and triple checked” the system. “We’ve looked at thousands of bolts up in that ceiling now.”

He claimed it was now “the safest building in the world”, and said it was common for there to be an extensive list of items to be completed even after a building opens.

“This building will evolve over a period of time. My guess is for the next six months, we’ll have guys coming in here and working on that punch list.”

He said the disruption to fans caused by scrapping shows was “what I’m most upset about and I feel worst about”.

Kay is due to play his rescheduled shows next week, while Take That and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moved their gigs to the rival AO Arena in Manchester.

Mr Leiweke said the venue was still “trying to lock down” new dates for Rodrigo.

After Elbow, the next shows in the schedule are The Black Keys’ rearranged concert followed by Eric Clapton and Barry Manilow.