Stars come out in force to perform for 50,000 crowd at Ariana Grande’s One Love Manchester concert
Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, and Katy Perry joined a star studded line-up at the benefit concert in Manchester
ARIANA Grande returned to the stage for the first time since the Manchester terror attacks — overcoming severe anxiety to do so.
The American singer led a star-studded line-up in a defiant display against terror and fear, backed by 50,000 passionate fans.
Earlier the 23-year-old had told friends she was worried the concert could be too soon after the horrors of the last fortnight.
A close pal said: “She’s found it incredibly tough coming back. She’s very emotional.”
But as an array of A-listers took to the stage to stand in solidarity, it was quickly clear Britain was ready to unite behind her.
Ahead of the gig, the performers shared a prayer backstage — led by Ariana and her mum Joan — in memory of the victims who lost their lives in the two barbaric terror attacks of the last fortnight.
A source revealed: “Ariana was keen to ensure the victims of these tragedies were at the forefront of people’s minds as the stars walked out in front of the crowd.
“Having seen her own fans suffer, she knows first hand the devastation caused by these monsters and was determined to do everything to honour their memory.
“So on Sunday afternoon she invited every performer to join her ahead of the show for a prayer and a chance to reflect on what had brought them all together in the first place.
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"And the response was overwhelming. Every single star involved felt it was exactly the right thing to be doing and agreed to join in.
“It really set the mood for the occasion — sombre and respectful but fiercely defiant.”
And Ariana revealed she tweaked the set-list after meeting the mum of attack victim Olivia Campbell-Hardy, 15, just days earlier.
On-stage, she told fans: “As soon as I met her I started crying and gave her a big hug and she said Olivia wouldn’t want me to cry.
“And then she told me that Olivia would have wanted to hear the hits. So we have a totally different show planned.”
The singer, who performed a number of duets with various star acts including Katy Perry and the Black Eyed Peas, added: “The kind of love and unity you are showing is the medicine the world needs right now.”
THE PERFORMERS
- Marcus Mumford
- Take That
- Robbie Williams
- Pharrell Williams
- Miley Cyrus
- Niall Horan
- Ariana Grande
- Little Mix
- Victoria Monet
- Black Eyed Peas
- Imogen Heap
- Children’s choir
- Mac Miller
- Katy Perry
- Justin Bieber
- Coldplay
- Liam Gallagher
The crowds’ spirits were high, with even policemen joining in the fun and dancing in the aisles.
Superstars including Coldplay, Justin Bieber — who was moved to tears by the occasion, Little Mix, Pharrell Williams and Take That led the line-up for the concert — which was broadcast live as far afield as China, America and Australia.
And it was a night of surprises, with Liam Gallagher joining the performers at the 11th hour and several stars coming together for unexpected duets.
A number of celebrities recorded video messages.
Former Manchester United star David Beckham, who spent more than a decade playing football in the city, said: “Tonight is about remembering those who suffered so much on that night but also celebrating the spirit of this great city, it’s a place we all love.”
And when Ariana and pal Miley Cyrus came together on stage to belt out Crowded House’s poignant rock anthem Don’t Dream It’s Over, the message was loud and clear:
“They come, they come. To build a wall between us. We know they won’t win.”
One of the most emotional performances of the night came as Ariana sang with a local choir.
One of the choir members, Adam Khan, had been part of the crowd at Ariana’s tragic Manchester Arena gig.
According to close pal Miley, Ariana now plans to write extensively about the tragic events on her next album — which will become a tribute to victims of the Manchester attack — and she hailed Ariana as “a really great, honourable person”.
While hundreds of millions of fans worldwide were expected to tune in for the spectacle, stars at the Old Trafford cricket ground were focused on maximising profits for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund — set up after Ariana’s concert.
And many, including Ariana, used their time ahead of the performance to visit injured fans at the city’s children’s hospital.
These were sentiments clearly shared by the crowd, who stood respectfully as the victims were honoured from the stage with a minute’s silence led by rocker Marcus Mumford at the show’s start.
Ariana closed the show by singing Somewhere Over The Rainbow, having been joined by the show’s stellar line-up to sing her track One Last Time.
The song, which she is re-releasing for charity, has become a must-listen for fans as it has become so poignant since she performed it at her Manchester show last month before the dreadful attack on her fans.
With last night’s concert expected to smash TV viewing records it was clear that Manchester had risen to the occasion and stood proud.
Liam duet 'ends feud'
LIAM Gallagher made a last-minute dash back home to Manchester to perform an emotional duet with Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
The Oasis star, 44, had ruled himself out of the show last week because he was double-booked with a gig in Germany.
But a terror scare at the Rock am Ring festival saw his Friday night gig cancelled.
So with just hours to go before last night’s event, Chris, 40, called his one-time nemesis to suggest getting together.
The pair performed a rousing version of Oasis anthem Live Forever.
A source revealed: “Chris felt it would really add something special to have Oasis represented at the event and personally called Liam to make it happen.
“Liam was eager to be involved from the start but the clash had kept him from doing it. Things changed over the weekend and Chris gave him a call to see if they could arrange something.
“They came up with the idea of an incredible duet together and Live Forever seemed a perfect anthem to sum up the message of the event.”
The move appeared to bring to an end a long-standing feud between the pair.
Over the years Liam has frequently made jibes about Chris — calling him a “geography teacher” and “a vicar”.
And he sniped last year: “He looks like he’s in the Tweenies.”
Earlier yesterday, Chris told how he was struck by the mood in Manchester.
He said: “It’s wonderful that people come out and show their strength . . . just wanting to be nice to each other. Togetherness is the most powerful message.”
We mustn't be afraid
ARIANA Grande’s powerful manager Scooter Braun, the man behind the One Love concert, yesterday called on the world to come together.
There had been fears the gig would be cancelled in the wake of the London terror attacks – but he insisted the horror gave the event even more relevance.
He told fans: “After the events in London, and those in Manchester, we feel a sense of responsibility to honour those lost, injured, and affected.
“We plan to honour them with courage, bravery, and defiance in the face of fear.
“Today’s One Love Manchester benefit concert will not only continue, but will do so with greater purpose.
“We mustn’t be afraid, and in tribute to all those affected here and around the world, we will bring our voices together.
“I am pleased to say we have the full support of Greater Manchester Police and the Government and are assured the safety of all those attending is the highest priority.
“All artists involved have been unwavering in their support and are determined to carry on.
“We ask the strong city of Manchester – and the world – to join us in making the statement that hatred and fear will never win.
“Today we stand together.”
Undaunted fans won't let attacks beat them
GEORGIA THOMPSON, 14, TYNE AND WEAR: “The bomb exploded right in front of us . . . If we didn’t come today, then the terrorists would have won.”
ANTHONY CLARKE, 33, DONCASTER: “It’s a sign of respect for the people who lost their lives, to come and enjoy the day and have them in our thoughts.”
LAUREN PARKER, 17, MANCHESTER: “I am someone who thinks ‘If something bad is going to happen, it will happen’ . Why should it stop us doing what we want to?”
SHARON COOPER, 42, LEEDS: “It could happen anywhere to anyone. This isn’t just for Manchester but for everyone who has been affected by terrorism.”
MARY HEALY, 28, MANCHESTER: “The events in Manchester and London were horrific but they brought people together to do something positive.”
JOAN PLATT, 19, MANCHESTER: “That night it happened we left our homes and went down with
blankets. We just wanted to help any way we could.”
ROSIE MACLEOD, 16, NORTHWICH, CHESHIRE: “This concert is a really nice idea to pay respects to the people involved and to show we are strong.”
MICA VANDEN, 27, MANCHESTER: “It’s been a pretty emotional two weeks. I’m a proud Mancunian and I wanted to do something to show my support. ”
GRACE SUTTON, 14, MANCHESTER: “I can’t wait to see the bands and support the charities. I knew people at the Ariana concert but luckily they were all OK. ”
