Ariana Grande performed before a jubilant crowd of some 50,000 in Manchester on Sunday, less than 24 hours after a deadly terror attack in the heart of London.
"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here today," the singer said between songs. "I want to thank you so much for coming together and being so loving and strong and unified. I love you guys so much and I think that the kind of love and unity you're displaying is the kind of medicine that the world really needs right now."
Ariana Grande performs during the benefit concert.
The "One Love Manchester" benefit concert by Grande and other pop stars went on as planned in the UK city, which is still recovering from a suicide bombing at Grande's show there two weeks ago.
Officials said security was bolstered for the concert, which aims to raise money for those affected by the bombing that killed 22 people and wounded more than 100 at Grande's May 22 show.
'Choose love'
The show opened with a minute of silence for those killed and injured in the attack.
Then the crowd danced and sang through an all-star line up, which included Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Coldplay, Pharrell Williams, Usher and the Black Eyed Peas.
Perry urged the crowd to "choose love."
"It's not easy to always choose love, is it?" she asked the crowd. "Especially in moments like these, right? It can be the most difficult thing to do. But love conquers fear and love conquers hate," she said. "I encourage you to choose love, even when it's difficult. Let no one take that away from you."
The sentiment was echoed by fellow pop star, Justin Bieber, who said "You guys are so brave. ... Would you agree that love always wins?"
Grande ruled the night, performing her own songs and then joining the band Coldplay to perform the song "Don't Look Back in Anger." The song, written by Manchester band Oasis in 1995, has become a symbol of the city's resilience in the face of tragedy.
Last week, locals spontaneously broke into a rendition of the song at a public memorial to the victims of the attack.
The lead singer of Oasis made a suprise appearance during Coldplay's set. Hometown hero Liam Gallagher joined the band to sing "Live Forever," which he dedicated to victims of the attack.
Grande closed the show with a soaring rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," from the classic 1939 film, "The Wizard of Oz."
'Determined to carry on'
Some fans questioned whether Sunday's show would go on after three men drove a van into a crowd on a London bridge Saturday night before leaping out and stabbing numerous people in nearby bars and restaurants. Seven people were killed and 48 injured in the attack.
No comments:
Post a Comment