AO Arena Manchester reviews by real event-goers

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

I enjoyed the night, plenty of variety and gave me the chance to re-live my childhood. A member of staff was very helpful getting us to our seats. The venue was hot in the main foyer and the price of food and drinks was very expensive. A lot of people left during the concert, there were some sound issues but that didn't bother me. Waste bins would probably help at the venue, there were none in the arena which meant there were hundreds of empty cups all over the floor, which can cause a hazard. The venue felt safe otherwise.

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

Attened 90's Baby Pop at Manchester A O on Sat 29th Oct 2021. Started pretty early. Doors opened 4pm and the DJ was first act on about 20 mins later.
Running order ran as announced and good transition between acts, no long delays which was good. Host kept the atmosphere going. Lots of nostalgic acts from the 90's - Chico, Cheeky Girls, GALA, Gareth Gates, Atomic Kitten and many more. A lot of the acts haven't aged at all and still look like how we remember them from the old days although same can't be said for vocals lol. However it was still very enjoyable.
A very long evening but had a whole bunch of fun and we are ready to attend the next show next year.

Highlights for me were Cheeky Girls - They can't sing but funny and upbeat. Damage - 90's classic RnB = These guys could always sing and still sound as good as ever. Las **tchup had everyone up and dancing out their seats. Lou Vega and many more.

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

Great concert didn’t realised would be 6hrs long but enjoyed every minute

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

Fantastic! Travelled from Essex for the event - worth every penny and second!

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

Badly organised event. Acts who are known in the U.K. as one hit wonders were allocated slots much higher up the bill than acts with a string of chart hits that people actually wanted to see. Respectfully, Los Del Rio did not need to be on longer than for the duration of Macarena and even though Gala gave her all for her performance she should not have been higher up slot wise than say Five or B*Witched who were huge U.K. acts in the 90s. It didn’t make sense and people voted with their feet; by the time Eiffel 65 took the stage, the standing area was very spa**ely populated. And since Eiffel 65 were thrusted into headliner position, due to Aqua pulling out (2unlimited also failed to appear), I would’ve expected more than three songs in their set. Numerous sound issues i.e. Liberty X, and Damage. Also not having a smoking area or allowing people to leave to smoke seemed extreme, especially when vaping was permitted along the concourse in the arena building! I was also surprised no merch was available to purchase. Obviously, drinks were extortionate but I suppose that is to be expected. Some great performances but overall there was a general feeling of disappointment and anger about how the event had been organised from people I spoke with. I have never attended any performance where the headline act didn’t show, and it seems ludicrous that organisers are not considering compensating patrons in some way for this. Doubt I will ever attend another of these events in the future.

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

Not sure if a sound check was done from all parts of the arena but it was really bad where we were. Bass was too high and most of the singers could not be heard properly as their microphones were not turned up enough, if working at all. A steward was in our way for the first hour, someone spilt their drink on the stairs from the concourse to the seating, this was not cleared up despite being a health and safety issue. The venue itself was good, toilet facilities were awful. Prices in the venue were extortionate. Atmosphere in venue was really good to start with but with announcement that main headliners were not coming we noticed that it dropped and a lot of people left.

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

The two best acts cancelled so no 2unlimited no aqua, doors opened at 4 first act was 20 mins later so noway was it possible to watch that first act, some of the acts were not 90’s more early 2000’s most of the group acts only have 2/3 of the actual members there! it felt a bit of a rip off for £60 we left early as got bored

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

I couldnt attend unfortunately but i heard it was amazing and will try to attend next year

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

I'd love to give more stars, but your sound equipment was shocking. It was obviously frustrating the artists. At some points on the night it was fine, but other times the singing was muffled, there was a loud muffled sound. The videos that I took say it all.
The line up was completely wrong, instead of moving all the other artists later, you put a dj set in the middle, and gave Gala too much stage time. By this point the atmosphere had gone and we all left. Such a shame as some of the artists were incredible.

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

Most of the acts were amazing, a couple of duds. It’s a shame that the one hit wonders were still given a three song set, meaning two songs that nobody knew and a big dip in atmosphere and continuity, especially later on in the evening. These acts should be shown in some sort of 1 song mega-mix format and the formerly massive acts that had lots of hits should have been given more than 3 song sets as they missed out some bangers. I would definitely book again though, it was very good value for money.

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

It was ok however we travelled all the way from London to find out that the main headline pulled out!!
Also was no mention of 2 unlimited being there either which was also one of the other main reasons I booked.

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

The line up was good and worth the money HOWEVER the sound quality was shocking,, bands like Atomic Kitten were limited to 3 songs but acts such as Gala (with 1 hit) played 6 so the atmosphere was immediately ruined. 100s left in the early evening because of the atmosphere and quality of the acts.

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

A great night. Slightly disappointed with the prices of drink in the arena. Also very disappointed that Aqua who were the headliners of the show didn't make an appearance.
The rest of the show was fantastic and a great atmosphere.

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

Some acts were amazing others quite frankly were awful. The sound was terrible and the event was on for 2 long. 4pm til 11pm was too much, also communication as to what time it started was not know so most people missed some of the acts. The staff had no clue what acts were due on when.

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

Sound was rubbish could not here them singing.£7 a pint £5 for soft drink and water way to expensive

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

Great show, didn't get exactly what was expected but the team were amazing and fulfilled my expectations ultimately.

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

Great night. Acts were on top form although all the order of the acts was a bit odd. People seemed to be leaving after 5ive had been on which was a shame for the acts following. Prices of drinks a bit pricey considering the limited choice available. All in all, we had a fab time remenising

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

I've give the atmosphere 5* as when some of the better acts were on the atmosphere was absolutely amazing but when some other acts came on or the dj filled the atmosphere dropped.
An amazing right reliving my early teens but am waiting to see what acts are on next year's line up before rebooking

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

The gig was amazing loved some of the acts great vibes.

Review of 90s Baby POP - The Biggest Pop Show Ever

What a bad sound experience. Base too high so we couldn’t here most of the stars. Also two biggest groups cancelled (Aqua, 2Unlimited). I wouldn’t go again.