LOVE OVER EVIL
Grande gig for Manchester vics goes on London stands tall after ‘ISIS’ atrocity
ARIANA GRANDE and a long list of big-name artists rocked a packed Manchester, England, soccer stadium to help the victims and their families after the suicide bombing at the pop singer’s concert last month.
The “One Love Manchester” benefit show Sunday night at Old Trafford came just a day after three terrorists plowed through pedestrians on the London Bridge and went on a stabbing and slashing rampage that killed seven and wounded about 50 more.
Grande and A-listers including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Usher had pledged to show support for the grieving city after the vicious May 22 terror attack that targeted Grande’s fans — many of them young girls — killing 22 people and injuring more than 100.
Security at Old Trafford on Sunday was tight, according to the BBC, with an estimated 60,000 people in the audience.
“Tonight is all about love, am I right?” Grande told the crowd, adding that the love and unity on display was “the medicine the world really needs right now.”
The three-hour concert raised $2.6 million for victims, according to organizers.
Grande, 23, did her own songs, such as “Be Alright” and “Break Free.” She also shared the stage with the Black Eyed Peas, who performed their hit, “Where is the Love?”
“We are here, we are together and we are one,” lead singer will.i.am sang.
Bieber almost cried when he spoke about those who died at Grande’s show.
“(God) loves you and he’s here for you. I wanna take this moment to honor the people that were lost, that were taken,” Bieber said.
Williams said he felt no fear inside the venue, just love and positivity.
“Manchester, let the world hear your resilience!” Williams told screaming fans. “I hate to be corny but it makes me feel happy,” he added, jumping into a duet with Cyrus on his blockbuster song “Happy.”
Cyrus said she was honored to perform, “surrounded by all you incredible people.”
She dedicated her song “Inspired” to everyone affected by the bombing.
Cyrus and Grande performed a duet of Crowded House’s 1986 ballad, “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” which includes the lyrics “They come, they come/ To build a wall between us/ We know they won’t win.”
Grande had visited some of the victims being treated in Manchester hospitals over the past several days leading to the concert.
Her manager, Scooter Braun, said Sunday that the event was a “statement that hatred and fear will never win.”