Manchester Arena reopens
On 9 September, more than 14,000 people gathered for the We Are Manchester show, marking the reopening of Manchester Arena, four months after an attack at the venue in which 22 people died. The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, read out a tribute to the victims at the beginning of the night, before singers and performers took to the stage.
Comedian Peter Kay delivered a strong message that even though the city had been through a horrendous time, “We’ve got to move forward with love and not hate, and that’s how we win”. Mancunian musician, Noel Gallagher, took to the stage after Kay to perform some of his hits, including Don’t Look Back In Anger. This song was spontaneously sung following a minute’s silence at a vigil in central Manchester shortly after the attack. All profits from the show will to go towards the construction of a permanent memorial to remember the 22 victims.