DEFIANT MANCHESTER
50,000 go wild at Ariana return
THE music world united in silence, then screams of joy last night as Ariana Grande returned to Manchester.
A crowd of 50,000 saw the American singer and other pop megastars join together in a show of defiance against terrorism.
The gig came just 13 days after a suicide bomber blew himself up at the end of her Manchester Arena gig, killing 22 people.
Singer Marcus Mumford was the first to take to the stage, asking for a minute’s silence in tribute to those who have lost their lives in the last fortnight.
Many of the audience, which included up to 13,000 who were at the bomb-hit gig, wept and hugged each other for support.
But when the music started the crowd erupted in screams and applause.
Take That’s Gary Barlow told them: “We want to stand strong, look at the sky and sing loud and proud.”
Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Coldplay, Pharrell Williams, the Black Eyed Peas, Miley Cyrus, Robbie Williams, Little Mix and One Direction’s Niall Horan also performed.
Ariana took to the stage in a “One Love Manchester” Tshirt. She was joined by Parrs Wood High School’s Harmony Choir from East Didsbury, Gtr Manchester, to sing her hit My Everything.
Some of the choir were at the Arena concert. Later Ariana was joined by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin for an emotional performance of the Oasis hit Don’t Look Back In Anger.
And there was a surprise appearance by the rockers’ ex-lead singer Liam Gallagher, who performed hits including Rock ’N’ Roll Star and Live Forever.
Video messages from stars including David Beckham and Stevie Wonder were screened between songs.
And there was a tearful end as all the performers joined Ariana on stage for One Last Time and she also performed Over The Rainbow.
The concert, broadcast live on BBC One from Old Trafford cricket ground, is expected to add at least £2million to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.