www.18tilidie.co.uk

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS ARENA

This is the largest indoor arena in Europe and can hold up to 21,000 people...needless to say BA sells it out everytime :) When trying to get to the front at this venue BEWARE. On the March UK Tour it was agreed by many that this was the most badly organised venue of the lot. People queuing up from 6am were denied first access and ones turning up last most often got in first. Very badly organised.

It is a very strange venue to get into really because it's integrated with the Victoria Railway Station and a big carpark so you wonder where those end and the arena begins. If you walk around the rear of the Arena though under the bridge you will see stairs to the venue where it can be accessed. These allow access to the arena but are not opened first on past experience. To get to the other doors go through the main entrance of the railway station and turn left and go up the stairs (follow the signs for McDonalds)...you will then walk past McDonalds and see the doors on your left. Once the doors open you can go in....but thats where more fun begins!!! Because, when this happens you STILL can't get to the performance area. You have to queue up again at some more doors to be let in...about 15 minutes later! This is where some of the confusion is often generated by fans queuing and the stupid security guards. All I can say when visiting this venue is...good luck.

When trying to meet Bryan after the gig go around to the rear loading bay entrance just to the left of the bridge where the big iron gates are. You can't see a lot of activity because it's only a small area and there are usually the trucks there but stay patient and he may come...he has previously stopped and signed in Manchester.

The Manchester Evening News Arena is located in the City Centre, on the corner of Trinity Way, Hunts Bank and Great Ducie Street, and is adjacent to Victoria Station. If travelling by car, the Manchester Evening News Arena is situated on the A56, 3 miles from Junction 17 of the M62. It has 1,500 onsite carparking spaces but don't worry there are lots of other little carparks you can use if this is full on concert days, that will only cost you a couple of quid.

At the bottom you will see the plan for the venue...also obviosly at a BA gig the floor section is all standing like it should be.