Robyn Delivers Unforgettable Performance at Co-op Live Manchester

While thousands filled Anfield for the second night of the Foo Fighters' only UK shows, something just as memorable was happening further along the M62. Emerging from behind a sheer white curtain armed with nothing but a pair of red leather gloves and an unmistakable voice, Robyn quickly had the crowd at Co-op Live on side.

In that instant, seated tickets became virtually redundant as the Swedish singer arrived in Manchester to remind thousands that, despite releasing relatively little new music in recent years, her influence and stage presence remain firmly intact. The 47-year-old brought her Sexistential tour to the city, showing why she has remained one of pop's most respected artists.

A Career Spanning Decades

Robyn first achieved global success in 1997 with her international debut album Robyn Is Here, propelled by the hit singles Show Me Love and Do You Know (What It Takes)? Neither track featured during her Saturday, June 27 performance, but there was no shortage of fan favourites. Instead, the setlist leaned on the strength of a catalogue that has resonated with audiences for nearly three decades.

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By the time the opening synths of With Every Heartbeat filled the arena, the crowd was fully immersed. Call Your Girlfriend landed with the same emotional weight it has always had, turning thousands of strangers into heartbroken teenagers for four minutes. Despite being quickly-lived, it is a rendition that will stick with me for years.

Dancing On My Own: A Defining Moment

Then came Dancing On My Own. There was no surprise duet – I had my money on Calum Scott or Hayley Williams to appear, but the song came and went without a cameo. Instead, it was just Robyn, standing centre stage, delivering one of modern pop's defining songs without unnecessary embellishment.

The evening's standout moment came when she stripped things back for an acoustic version of Be Mine!. The electronic production gave way to a quieter, more intimate performance that held the arena's attention from start to finish.

New Material Holds Its Own

While much of the anticipation centred on Robyn's back catalogue, her newer material held its own. Recently released tracks blended seamlessly into the set, and while they may not have prompted the same euphoric sing-alongs as the biggest hits, they showed there's more to Robyn than nostalgia.

Fresh from supporting Harry Styles across 10 nights in Amsterdam, there was no sign of tiredness. Robyn barely stood still, moving across the stage, making sure every fan, no matter what row or section, got their money's worth.

Production and Stage Presence

The production complemented rather than overshadowed the performance. Towering LED screens and carefully timed lighting gave the arena a sleek, club-like feel, at times reminiscent of The XX. Sexistential is a reminder that Robyn's songs remain the focus, with the visuals adding to it all, rather than taking over. The hour-and-a-half show is proof that when you have songs this good and a performer this magnetic, spectacle becomes the finishing touch rather than the main event.