Big news from Manchester!

We’ve teamed up with adidas, The Co-op Live and Factory International to launch the adidas Originals Recording Studio, engineered by Abbey Road – a first-of-its-kind space inside the UK’s biggest arena.

Opening in August, this studio will provide access to:
🔊 Expert-led sessions from Abbey Road engineers
🎧 Opportunities for underrepresented talent
🎛️ A safe, state-of-the-art space to create, record and grow

It’s the first time we’ve built a studio beyond our home in London, which is a massive step for us as we work to empower the music community globally.

This is more than just a studio — It’s a platform for emerging talent, designed to break down barriers and open up new opportunities in one of the world’s greatest music cities.

Built on a collaborative drive to give back to the community and support a fully inclusive music ecosystem, the adidas Originals Recording Studio has been designed as a vibrant hub for emerging musical talent and young creative communities. The space, situated inside the UK’s largest music arena, offers a truly innovative, safe, and inspiring environment to experience the magic of live music while accessing the tools, guidance and resources to begin - or continue - their own creative journey.

The studio has been engineered by our leading technicians and sound engineers, together leveraging cutting-edge equipment, time-honoured techniques and the latest know-how to deliver industry-defining sound. With on-site access to Abbey Road engineers, artists and creative communities will be supported by some of the industry’s most experienced recording and mixing experts - bringing decades of learning and a deep commitment to audio excellence to every session.

"The launch of the adidas Originals Recording Studio in Manchester, one of the world's great music cities, celebrates our deep-rooted legacy in music—one that began back in the 1960s and has shaped culture across genres and generations ever since. In partnership with Co-op Live and Abbey Road Studios, this new space continues that legacy by equipping the next wave of talent with the tools and support to thrive in today’s music industry,” Chris Walsh - VP Brand, adidas.

Manchester’s Liam Fray, acclaimed musician and the founder and frontman of indie rock band Courteeners, was the first artist to utilise the studio through a live lounge performance on opening night. Liam commented: “Opening up a space like this to get people through the door - I’m all for it. There are obstacles to get into the industry, finance is one of those barriers, but geography is also one. To have something of this level up here that is a focal point in Manchester opens up the industry and takes it to a wider audience. There will be geniuses out there that we don’t yet know about.”

The adidas Originals Recording Studio will be open to the community starting in August. This initiative is brought to life in collaboration with Co-op Live, our Amplify and Equalise programmes, and Factory International’s Factory Sounds programme.

Our Amplify and Equalise programmes are designed to inform and inspire the next generation of artists, producers, and creatives, with a particular emphasis on promoting diversity and inclusion in the music industry. Amplify and Equalise take on multiple formats from practical studio workshops to mentorships and panel discussions. For the first time ever, we will bring these programmes to Manchester through this new collaboration. Factory International’s Factory Sounds programme aims to elevate the music industry in Greater Manchester by providing financial support, mentorship, workshops, and performance opportunities to underrepresented groups within the music community.

“The groundbreaking adidas Originals Recording Studio offers a truly innovative opportunity to our local community, continuing our unfaltering drive to elevate the live entertainment experience for fans and artists – whether at the event or beyond. Partnering with adidas, Abbey Road and Factory International marks another huge step for our increasing vision for Co-op Live, creating a unique space for our communities to hone their craft and to help create the headliners of the future,” Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Co-op Live.

Sally Davies, Managing Director, Abbey Road: “The launch of the adidas Originals Recording Studio is a world-first collaboration creating a new, Abbey Road-engineered recording space beyond the walls of our home in London. We are enormously proud to partner with adidas, Co-op Live and Factory International to create a new platform for talent in Manchester and the North-West, expanding our mission to enable and empower the global community of music makers and creators, and shape the future of music making.”