It was an emphatic triumph of love over hate when pop music’s biggest names took the stage for One Love Manchester, a benefit concert that brought the world together in remembrance, joy, hope, and peace (and then united us in our disappointment over the Gallagher brothers).
Organized in response to the horrific terror attack at the Manchester Arena, Sunday’s concert aimed to raise funds for the victims of the bombing while making a defiant statement in the face of a massive tragedy.
It was an emphatic triumph of love over hate when pop music’s biggest names took the stage for One Love Manchester, a benefit concert that brought the world together in remembrance, joy, hope, and peace (and then united us in our disappointment over the Gallagher brothers).
Organized in response to the horrific terror attack at the Manchester Arena nearly two weeks prior, right after American singer Ariana Grande’s gig at the venue in May, Sunday’s concert aimed to raise funds for the victims of the bombing while making a defiant statement in the face of a massive tragedy.
An estimated 50,000 people were in attendance at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, joined by millions who watched the show on television as well as thousands of us around the globe who streamed it online on platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.
Arranged by Grande and her team within days of the attack, organized swiftly, and carried out without a hitch, the event was held under tight security. Some commentators had reservations about the timing of the concert, especially in the wake of the previous night’s London Bridge incident, but ultimately no one – not even Britain’s (least?) favourite sourpuss Piers Morgan – was immune to the infectious joy of the evening.
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and Liam Gallagher from Oasis joined forces on stage and sang ‘Live Forever’ which is an Oasis song. Martin also co-sang Oasis tune, ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ with Ariana Grande.
Performing effortlessly in heels so high they’d give the rest of us vertigo, the pint-sized pop princess played hostess during most of the show, singing several times during the event and collaborating with a few of her famous friends, including Miley Cyrus, Victoria Monét, The Black Eyed Peas (sans Fergie), boyfriend Mac Miller, and Coldplay who performed the Oasis hit ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ with her onstage.
Other notable performers included an emotional Robbie Williams, who followed his former band Take That onto the stage and changed the lyrics to his song ‘Strong’ in tribute to Manchester; the gorgeous Katy Perry, who wore an outfit that featured photos of the attack victims and encouraged everyone to touch the person next to them and tell them “I love you”; and Justin Bieber who did a short acoustic set and offered his unifying thoughts to the crowd. Marcus Mumford, Pharrell Williams, Niall Horan, Little Mix, and Imogen Heap also sang during the show, each delivering heartfelt performances.
Perhaps the biggest water cooler topic of the evening was the surprise appearance by a famous Mancunian and the conspicuous absence of his brother. Fans had been expecting an Oasis reunion at the charity gig, hoping the Gallagher brothers would set aside their differences for the cause and support their beloved hometown. But while Liam Gallagher did show up and performed a three-song set, Noel was a no show, much to everyone’s disappointment. The latter was subsequently lambasted by the former on Twitter, although Chris Martin did tweet in his defence, thanking him for letting Coldplay perform the Oasis song and for “being there in spirit”.
Also absent was Usher, who was initially booked for the concert but then skipped the gig to support his son on his first day of a special summer camp for kids living with diabetes.
But irrespective of who was there and who wasn’t, the most impressive part of the ceremony was that it didn’t feel like it was about any celebrity or singer, but just people coming together to support each other through a tough time, showing strength, and encouraging everyone to choose love over hate. The evening was about remembering those who were lost, helping those who were affected, and facing a heartbreaking tragedy with defiance, and it succeeded on all three counts. By the time Grande closed the three-hour concert with a moving rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, nearly $3 million had been collected in donations for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund which was established following the bombing that killed 22 concert goers and injured more than 100, some of whom were in attendance at this show; fans who were at Grande’s 22 May gig were eligible for free passes for the event that sold out within 6 minutes of the tickets going on sale.
Amidst, the emotional performances by some of the world’s biggest pop stars, there were poignant, cathartic, and touching moments aplenty throughout the evening, and everything from the images of the flowers and tributes in Manchester near the charity event’s venue to the footage of a policeman dancing with a group of children was powerful and inspiring. Props to Ariana Grande for going back to the UK, putting together a lovely show, and helping Manchester heal in this tough time. And while detractors may be quick to point out that a pop concert doesn’t solve the issue of terrorism, it is still heartening to see music bring people together and a city respond to a tragedy with such positivity and resilience.
