Photo: Still
Marcus Mumford’s words, “let’s not be afraid, Manchester” opened an evening of musical defiance in Manchester last night, as 50,000 Ariana Grande fans gathered at Old Trafford cricket ground to raise money for the victims of the Manchester Arena suicide bombing on May 22nd. The ground fell silent before the lyrics of Mumford’s ‘Timshel’ poignantly echoed around the ground: “you are not alone in this / as brothers we stand and we’ll hold your hand.”
Tweeting that she was “broken” after the atrocity which killed 22 and injured 116 more, Ariana Grande left the UK briefly before returning to Manchester this week, visiting her young fans in hospital and spending time with the families of those who lost their lives. It was the mother of Oliva Campbell, one of the young fans who lost her life, that urged Grande to “play all the hits” because that what’s her daughter would have wanted. Fighting tears, Grande did just that, returning to the stage after assembling the ‘One Love Manchester’ concert with her team in just over one week. Fittingly, this was the second anniversary of Grande’s first performance in Manchester.
The concert brought together some of the biggest names in pop and rock, including a surprise appearance from Liam Gallagher alongside Coldplay. With no sign of Noel, it was left to Chris Martin to provide backing vocals on Manchester anthem ‘Live Forever’ and to lead the crowd in a rendition of ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ with Grande, in what has become a song of solidarity for Manchester since an impromptu singalong rang out in Manchester’s Albert Square following a silence to honour victims a week ago.
Wearing a bright orange cagoule and shaking his trademark tambourine, Liam’s performance of ‘Rock n Roll Star’ and his new single ‘Wall of Glass’ were in many ways the most quintessential of Manchester responses. As one viewer of the concert wrote on Twitter, “nothing says ‘fuck you, ISIS,’ quite like a snarling Manc with an orange cagoule and maracas.” Whilst there was no mention of Noel’s absence on the night, Liam has since taken to Twitter to vent his frustration at his brother’s decision not to appear.
Following ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’, Coldplay sang ‘Fix You’ adding the lyrics from James’ ‘Sit Down’ to the opening, in a touching nod to Manchester’s musical heritage; ‘Viva La Vida’ and an uplifting performance of ‘Something Just Like This’ followed bringing streamers and light into the ground as night fell.
Earlier in the evening, Take That and Robbie Williams followed Marcus Mumford. Williams sang a version of his hit ‘Strong’, which saw concert goers unified in singing it’s altered lyrics: “Manchester, we’re strong…we’re still singing our song.” Grande’s mother Joan meanwhile passed through the crowd encouraging fans to not let fear win; only a week ago she was helping youngers back stage to safety on the night of the attack. Pharell and Miley Cyrus followed with an uplifting duet of ‘Happy’; “Manchester, let the world hear your resilience,” Pharell urged. Cyrus later returned with Grande for an emotional rendition of Crowded House’s ‘Don’t Dream it’ Over.’
Whilst care was taken to ensure sensitivity and appropriate tone throughout, it was also clear that the night would uplift too, with Little Mix’s rendition of ‘Wings’, Grande’s ‘Break Free’ and Katy Perry’s rebellious ‘Roar’ bringing joy to the audience. “We will not be silenced”, Perry defiantly shouted. Niall Horan and Justin Bieber offered more subdued performances, the latter punctuated by a touching image of a police officer dancing a Ring-a-Ring-of-Roses with young fans being beamed onto the big screens.
Emotional performances from Imogen Heap (‘Hide and Seek’) and The Black Eyed Peas (‘Where Is The Love’) left many in the crowd in tears, as did a powerful duet that Grande performed with The Parrs Wood school choir, singing her hit ‘My Everything’. Their young lead singer needed to be comforted by Grande after becoming visibly upset; the crowd responded by holding ‘I heart Manchester’ signs higher. Pictures of fans wearing, “never mind the terrorists, we’re Manchester” t-shirts were beamed onto the big screen as fans cheered louder to support the choir.
Pivotal in the event’s organisation was Grande’s manager, Scooter Braun, who also appeared on stage during the show. “Manchester, your bravery is our hope,” he told the crowd. Coming just one evening after fresh attacks in London and events in Kabul, the event could have easily been cancelled and no one would have blamed people for staying home. Yet it was Braun’s words when referring to Saturday’s London attack which perhaps rang most poignantly on the night. “Last night you had a decision…you looked fear right in the face,” he told the crowd, praising their bravery for coming along despite events.
Muhammed Ali’s unifying words of peace resonated with the crowd before the final performances and ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ encore by Grande brought the show to a close. The event has so far raised over 2.35 million for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund so far, with all proceeds going to the grieving families and victims of the attack. The understated star of the night was Grande herself, who remarkably found the strength to perform. Bringing strength to victims of terror both here and worldwide, Grande epitomised courage and defiance throughout, echoing Braun’s earlier words. “Because of you, we can now represent through this as a worldwide community, that we will be ready, we will be fearless, and we will be great.”
Setlist
Marcus Mumford – Timshel
Take That – Shine
Take That – Giants
Take That – Rule The World
Robbie Williams – Strong
Robbie Williams – Angels
Pharrell Williams – Get Lucky
Pharrell Williams and Miley Cyrus – Happy
Miley Cyrus – Inspired
Niall Horan – Slow Hands
Niall Horan – This Town
Ariana Grande – Be Alright
Ariana Grande – Break Free
Little Mix – Wings
Ariana Grande and Victoria Monet – Better Days
Black Eyed Peas and Ariana Grande – Where Is The Love?
Imogen Heap – Hide and Seek
Children’s choir with Ariana Grande – My Everything
Mac Miller and Ariana Grande – The Way
Mac Miller – Dang!
Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus – Don’t Dream It’s Over
Ariana Grande – Side to Side
Katy Perry – Part of Me
Katy Perry – Roar
Justin Bieber – Love Yourself
Justin Bieber – Cold Water
Ariana Grande – Love Me Harder
Coldplay and Ariana Grande – Don’t Look Back in Anger
Coldplay – Fix You
Coldplay – Viva La Vida
Coldplay – Something Just Like This
Liam Gallagher – Rock n Roll Star
Liam Gallagher – Wall of Glass
Liam Gallagher – Live Forever
Ariana Grande and the cast of One Love Manchester – One Last Time
Ariana Grande – Somewhere Over The Rainbow [Encore]
