Ariana planning something special for Manchester
ARIANA Grande will return to Manchester next year to perform a ‘special’ show, the singer revealed as she announced her new UK tour dates.
The American star has just revealed the European dates of her Sweetener world tour in a video on her social media channels.
Manchester is not yet on the schedule, but in an Instagram story she wrote: “Manchester is not on this initial list because we are planning a special show.
“We need a bit more time getting things together before we can announce that date but we are of course coming and we love you.”
Ariana will kick off the European leg of her tour in London on August 17, 2019 and will also play shows in Birmingham on September 14, Glasgow on September 17 and Sheffield on September 19.
Twenty two fans died in a terrorist attack in the foyer of the Arena after her concert there on May 22 last year. Ariana returned to play the One Love Manchester benefit concert at Emirates Old Trafford – raising millions for those bereaved and injured – two weeks later.
Next year’s show will be her first visit to the city since that show, when she also spent time meeting injured fans in hospital.
The 25-year-old recently paid tribute to Manchester in a YouTube docu-series charting last year’s Dangerous Woman tour.
In a message to fans watching the documentary, she wrote: “The spirit of the people of Manchester, the families affected by this horrendous tragedy and my fans around the world have permanently impacted all of us for the rest of our lives.
“Their love, strength and unity showed me, my team, my dancers, band and entire crew not to be defeated.
“To continue during the scariest and saddest of times. To not let hate win. But instead, love as loudly as possible.
“The people of Manchester were able to change an event that portrayed the worst of humanity into one that portrayed the most beautiful of humanity.
“’Like a handprint on my heart.’.. I think of Manchester constantly and will carry this with me every day for the rest of my life.”
The Sweetener world tour opens in March 2019 in the US before heading to Europe. It comes in support of her chart-topping album of the same name.
The lead single No Tears Left To Cry referenced Manchester with a bee – the city’s emblem – flying off in the final frames of the video.