Ariana Grade returns to Manchester for a benefit concert “One Love Manchester” on June 4, a powerful gesture in the wake of terrible tragedy.
Ariana Grade returns to Manchester for a benefit concert “One Love Manchester” on June 4 to help the victims of the May 22 bombing that killed 22 people and injured 116. Even after the new terrorist attacks in London, the concert will push through and will be held at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. For those at home, the concert will be seen live in over 50 countries including United Kingdom (BBC) and United States (ABC). MTV.com will live stream the event online at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Ariana will be joined on stage by some of the biggest names in music, such as Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams, Take That, Niall Horan, Little Mix, Robbie Williams and Black Eyed Peas. All proceeds from the benefit concert will go to the victims and their families through the “We Love Manchester Emergency Fund,” set up by Manchester City Council in partnership with the British Red Cross.
Her return to Manchester for a benefit concert is a powerful gesture in the wake of terrible tragedy, especially in the light of fresh attacks in London. It is intended to show that we are not letting fear consume us and that “we won’t let hate win” as Ariana said in her statement. As actor James Woods said on Twitter,
Well, considering that this upcoming concert could be targeted, I think it takes some courage to get up there on that stage. #ArianaGrande https://t.co/phjAoCBrxr
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) June 4, 2017
Ariana has received kudos from fans and supporters about the decision to push through with the benefit concert:
A powerful gesture in the wake of such terrible tragedy. https://t.co/w2mH92cvPL
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 27, 2017
https://twitter.com/Craig_Honeyman/status/868558910487236608
I know almost nothing about Ariana Grande. But I think she is brave and honourable for returning to Manchester. #SaluteAriana
— With Adrian Schiller 🇺🇦 (@Grumbletwat) May 26, 2017
Even British journalist and television personality Piers Morgan praised the decision, calling it a “good move.”
Good move @ArianaGrande.👏👏 https://t.co/vpDuMJO6T7
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 26, 2017
Piers initially criticized Arianna for immediately leaving England to go back to her family in Florida, instead of visiting the injured fans. He commented that “I think she should have stayed and visited victims. It was her show and they were her fans” – a sentiment that he repeated several times. When another user suggested that he apologize, Piers responded with “Apologise for what? I suggested she should do something she is now going to do.”
While the terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, no explanations were given as to why the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester was selected by the suicide bomber. It could be that Grande’s concert was chosen because she means so much to her fans, composed mostly of young girls and teenagers. Or maybe the terrorists simply wanted to bomb a popular event in Manchester, which happened to be Ariana’s concert.
The ISIS strategy in recent years has been to encourage individuals or small groups to attack large public gatherings, such as concerts. Ariana pushing through with her benefit concert symbolizes the fight for the freedom to go to an event where people can enjoy themselves and be happy while soaking in an aesthetic experience.
