Co-op Live Confirms 100% Plant-Based Food Menu for the First Time for Massive Attack’s Exclusive Headline Arena Show
Co-op Live has confirmed its food menu will be 100% plant-based as it welcomes legendary trip hop pioneers Massive Attack for their only UK arena performance on Thursday 5th June 2025.
Marking a first for the venue, Co-op Live will commit to a fully plant-based food menu, in alignment with Massive Attack’s longstanding dedication to environmental action. This one-off initiative underscores both the artist’s and the venue’s shared mission to lead the future of sustainable live entertainment.
Committed to being a net zero building since opening, Co-op Live already leads the way in sustainability with a football pitch-sized array of solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, intelligent energy controls, reusable cups, and a zero waste-to-landfill policy. The Massive Attack show on 5th June marks a further step forward in sustainable touring, with the arena going fully plant-based for the night.
The move echoes the band’s innovative Act 1.5 gig last year, which the BBC* described as having “cut emissions by being 100% battery powered and selling 100% vegan food.” This is the first time the venue has tailored its food and drink offer entirely to reflect the values of a specific artist, showcasing the flexibility and responsiveness of its food and drink strategy.
Robert "3D" Del Naja of Massive Attack said: “The Co-op Live gig allows another iteration of the show to materialise and for us to underpin that production with the lowest emissions measures possible. We’re pleased that this event will be the first ever 100% plant based major show in Manchester with an extensive, curated menu, and that the arena is powered by renewables. We’ll also be taking the train on part of this tour leg, and if fans can do the same, we’re then acting in unity to create smarter, cleaner events without avoidable pollution, which has to be the future.”
Mark Donne, lead producer of Act 1.5, said: “Massive Attack are synonymous with creative innovation and an insistence on the cleanest production possible, and in climate terms, so much of what Co-op Live are doing is sector leading - so the venue-artist match is such a strong one. Fans will notice the collaborative attention to detail, and can also enter into the invitation to form part of a super low carbon production, with an extremely stimulating artistic experience assured.”
Sara Tomkins, Sustainability & Community Director at Co-op Live, said: “We built Co-op Live not just to be the biggest, but to be one of the most sustainable live entertainment arenas in the UK. Hosting Massive Attack with a completely plant-based food menu for the first time demonstrates how we can collaborate with artists to go further – creatively and sustainably. It’s a powerful example of the venue’s flexibility and how committed we are to supporting artist's values and encouraging fans to consider sustainable choices.
Across seven kitchens over three levels, concertgoers will be treated to a 100% plant-based menu featuring everything from plant-based burgers and bao buns to masala fries and vegan pizza – including dishes from the UK’s only Big Chicken, founded by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.
Highlights from the menu include:
Soundbites
● The Vegetarian Butcher 'NoBeef' Burger with crispy lettuce, burger sauce and pickles
● Seasoned fries, Onion rings
Big Chicken
● Southern Fried 'NoChicken' Burger with Shaq sauce
● Spicy hot 'NoChicken' Burger with vegan mayo
● Seasoned fries
Co-op Live Kitchen
● Teriyaki mushroom bao buns
● Vegan hotdog with caramelised onions
● Plant-based meatball marinara ciabatta
● Chunky chips, Sea Salt & Chardonnay Vinegar seasoning
● Veg spring roll with sweet chilli dip
Koko's Hot Dogs
● Vegan hotdog with beer onion chutney and mustard
● Belgian fries
Co-op Kitchen
● Plant-based pepperoni pizza with pickled shallots
● Garlic dough balls with vegan butter
● Margherita pizza with vegan mozzarella and parmesan
● Pizza pinwheels
Loaded Fries
● Masala fries with vegan yoghurt aioli and tamarind chutney
● ‘NoMince’ chilli fries with vegan sour cream and guac
● Seasoned fries
Saucy Chips
● Aloo Tikki chaat
● Vegan samosa with mango chutney
● ‘NoChicken’ & cauliflower palak curry and chips
● Gunpowder fries
With Massive Attack’s strong environmental stance and Co-op Live’s strong sustainability credentials, the one-night-only experience promises to be a landmark in eco-conscious live music events.