Bieber, Coldplay, Katy Perry to join Ariana Grande for Manchester benefit concert
Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry will headline a star-studded concert in Manchester, England, on Sunday to benefit victims of the suicide bombing at Grande’s May 22 concert there, organizers announced Tuesday.
American artists Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams and Usher will also perform at the June 4 concert, along with Britain’s Coldplay, One Direction singer Niall Horan and the Manchester-based band Take That.
The benefit will take place at the Old Trafford cricket ground. Proceeds will benefit victims of last week’s suicide bombing at Grande’s show at another venue in the northern English city, the Manchester Arena.
Islamic State claimed credit for the bombing, which killed 22 people and took place moments after Grande finished playing.
All proceeds from Sunday’s “One Love Manchester” concert will go to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund which was set up by the Manchester City Council in partnership with the British Red Cross. The fund has already raised more than 5 million pounds ($6.4 million), organizers say.
Grande, 23, is offering free tickets to the charity concert to all of those who were at her Manchester show on May 22.
The suicide bombing wounded more than 100, many of them members of Grande’s large, young female fan base. Grande was unharmed but she later canceled several concerts scheduled in London and Europe through June 5.
Sunday’s show will be broadcast live by BBC television and radio, Tuesday’s statement said.
“I have been thinking of my fans, and of you all, non stop over the past week. The way you have handled all of this has been more inspiring and made me more proud than you’ll ever know,” Grande said in a statement on social media.
“The compassion, kindness, love, strength and oneness that you’ve shown one another this past week is the exact opposite of the heinous intentions it must take to pull off something as evil as what happened Monday. YOU are the opposite. There is nothing I or anyone can do to take away the pain you [her fans] are feeling or to make this better. However, I extend my hand and heart and everything I possibly can give to you and yours, should you want or need my help in any way.”
“We will not quit or operate in fear. We won’t let this divide us. We won’t let hate win,” she added.