Adidas Originals, Co-op Live, and Abbey Road Studios Just Opened the Recording Studio of the Future, and It's in Manchester

Manchester has a new beat, and it's coming from inside Co-op Live. In a groundbreaking collaboration between adidas Originals, Co-op Live, and the legendary Abbey Road Studios, the city now plays host to the adidas Originals Recording Studio - a state-of-the-art creative space designed to shape the next generation of music innovators.

Photo credit - Adidas

This isn’t your average studio. Engineered by the world-renowned team at Abbey Road Studios, the adidas Originals Recording Studio fuses audio heritage with cutting-edge technology, setting a new standard for accessible creativity. Tucked within the colossal walls of Co-op Live, the UK’s largest music arena, this space isn’t just a studio, it’s a movement: the future of music starts here, and everyone's invited.

A Platform With Purpose

Opening its doors on May 14, 2025, the studio is more than an engineering marvel, it’s a cultural statement. Designed to support emerging artists and underserved communities, the studio is fully integrated with programmes like Abbey Road’s Amplify and Equalise and Factory International’s Factory Sounds, offering mentorship, education, financial backing, and access to top-tier sound engineering.

"Manchester is one of the world’s great music cities," said Chris Walsh, VP Brand at Adidas, during the launch. "This studio celebrates our deep-rooted legacy in music and equips the next wave of talent with the tools and support to thrive in today’s industry."

Photo credit - Adidas

The very first session at the studio was led by Liam Fray, the lead singer of Manchester’s beloved indie rock band, Courteeners. Performing live in the new space, Fray shared:"There are obstacles to getting into the industry, finance, geography, but this opens up the industry to a wider audience. There are geniuses out there that we don’t yet know about."

It’s a powerful sentiment echoed by creatives across the North, the idea that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. This space aims to change that.

Photo credit - Adidas

Spearheading the technical design, Abbey Road Studios brought their 90-plus years of sound engineering history into every inch of the room. Think legendary mixing desks, next-gen workflows, and on-site guidance from engineers who’ve worked with icons like Stormzy, Little Simz, and Amy Winehouse.

“Creating a new Abbey Road engineered space beyond London is a world first for us,” said Sally Davies, Managing Director at Abbey Road Studios. “We’re proud to expand our mission in Manchester, empowering new music makers from the North West and beyond.”

More Than a Studio

Starting this August, the Adidas Originals Recording Studio will be available to creatives through open access programmes, workshops, and community-led projects. Whether you’re an aspiring producer, vocalist, or bedroom beatmaker, this is a space to experiment, collaborate, and amplify your vision.

Guy Dunstan, Senior VP at Co-op Live, puts it like this:"This is about helping create the headliners of the future."

Photo credit - Adidas

With support from Factory International, known for championing underrepresented talent through year-round programming and their Factory Academy, the initiative is poised to be a launchpad for creatives historically excluded from the mainstream music industry.

This isn’t just a studio, it’s a symbol of what’s possible when creative vision meets structural support. adidas Originals has long been a cultural powerhouse, and this latest move solidifies its role not just in shaping style but in sculpting the sonic future of a generation.

Manchester, the home of music revolutions, just got its newest underground icon built right in the heart of the stage.