Show of defiance as Manchester Arena reopens with concert
THOUSANDS OF music fans cheered the names of those killed in the Manchester Arena terror attack as the venue re-opened for the first time with a charity concert.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham spoke as the benefit gig began, reciting the names of the 22 lost in the bombing, six of whom lived in Yorkshire.
The 14,000 inside the arena cheered and clapped the names before he told them: “Thank you to the city for coming together.
“Thank you for being who you are. We are Manchester, a city united, nothing will ever change us, nothing will ever divide us.”
Families who lost loved ones and those injured in the terror attack three months ago were among the crowd at the sold-out gig.
Charlotte Campbell, whose daughter Olivia, 15, was among the victims, said she “had to come back as a show of defiance”.
“We have to show we are not scared and we don’t want Manchester to be scared. We are proud coming here,” she told the
The event was held to honour those affected by the outrage, welcome back live entertainment to the venue and raise money for a permanent memorial for the victims. Stars on the bill included Pixie Lott, Noel Gallagher and his band High Flying Birds, The Courteeners and Rick Astley, while comedian Peter Kay returned to the arena where he once worked as a steward.
Suicide bomber Salman Abedi detonated his device in the arena foyer, killing 22 and injuring scores of others, at the end of an Ariana Grande concert on May 22.
Victims from Yorkshire included Courtney Boyle, 19, a Leeds Beckett University student; Wendy Fawell, 50, from Otley; Sorrell Leczkowski, 14, from Leeds; York couple Angelika and Marcin Klis and Kelly Brewster, 32, from Sheffield.