UNDAUNTED, GRANDE LEADS ONE LOVE
Despite London attack, Manchester concert goes on
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND The show went on. And it turned into a defiant party with a message for those who would seek to divide us.
Fifty thousand people joined Ariana Grande, the Black Eyed Peas, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and more of the world’s biggest musical superstars for an emotional but ultimately spirited and uplifting concert here Sunday to raise money for the victims and families of the Manchester bomb attack two weeks ago.
It was Grande’s first performance since the May 22 attack, which left 22 dead and more than 100 injured as they exited the singer’s concert at Manchester Arena. The youngest victim was 8. The concert took place despite a terror attack that killed seven in London on Saturday night. More than $ 2.5 million was donated during the three- hour show.
“We came to show our respect, not just for Manchester ( but) also for London,” said Jason Geal, who was attending with his wife and daughters. The Geals were in the audience during Grande’s performance at Manchester Arena last month. “We need to show we are not scared,” he said.
Summer was in the air and the concert had an atmosphere reminiscent of an outdoor music festival. There was beer and ice cream in ample supply and stalls selling T- shirts and other band paraphernalia. Families mixed with teenagers and young adults and groups of girls in bunny ears linked arms and sang along to their favorite songs.
Perhaps one of the most touching moments came when a police officer joined hands with a group of children and skipped in a circle as Bieber performed.
The message was made clear repeatedly at the all- star benefit: Whether Manchester, London, Paris or Orlando, the terrorists won’t win.
Wearing jeans and a sweatshirt emblazoned “One Love Manchester,” Grande bounced around the stage and never appeared to stand still for very long. It looked like she fought back tears once or twice, but on the whole she was upbeat and energetic. “Manchester, I love you so, so much,” she said on several occasions.
She fully broke down only once, when she ended the show with Over the Rainbow, Judy Garland’s signature ballad. Pharrell Williams, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Coldplay and One Direction’s Niall Horan also performed and received rapturous welcomes from fans.
Each act sang a few songs, and children from the Parrs Wood High School Choir performed a duet with Grande on
My Everything. Two members of the choir were in the audience on May 22.
Hundreds of millions of people from more than 50 countries were expected to watch the concert in some format.
Grande seemed heartened by the huge turnout.
“This evening has been filled with fun and brightness,” she told fans. “And I want to thank you for that.”