Music

One Love Manchester

Feature

Looking back on One Love Manchester

The fund has now raised over £10 million.

Donate here

Less than two weeks since the horrifying attack at Manchester Arena following a headline performance by Ariana Grande, the pop superstar returned to the city with some high profile friends to host one of the most emotional music events in living memory.

Performances and collaborations by some of the biggest names in music, plus poignant messages from those unable to attend in person, left the audience equally spellbound and reflective.

Hosted at Manchester’s Emirates Old Trafford, it was a powerful evening in honour of the victims and families who were tragically affected by the Manchester attack.

More than £10 million

Since the fund was launched, We Love Manchester has now raised more than £10 million for the British Red Cross. During the three hour concert, broadcast on radio and TV, and live across the internet, over £2 million alone was raised through text and online donations.

The Red Cross confirmed the news on Twitter, thanking all for donating.

Over 50,000 fans

Equally as notable was the bravery of those fans who attended the show, many of whom were personally there or affected by the events on Monday 22 May 2017. TV screens were filled with emotional images, with the event celebrating a heartfelt mix of celebration, respect and commemoration. Over 50,000 people witnessed the biggest artists on the planet rally together, at an event organised in less than one week and led by the sheer determination and resilience of Ariana Grande.

There are countless iconic moments from the event, but perhaps this one stands out the most:

The biggest stars in the world

The list of those who played the show is hugely impressive, each taking time out of their schedule to support the worthy cause. The event opened with Marcus Mumford performing Timshel, before the likes of Take That, Robbie Williams, Pharrell Williams, Miley Cyrus, and many more took to the huge stage. All were guided by Grande herself, who showed beautiful poise throughout the evening.

It was the collaborations that truly stole the show. Ariana joined Black Eyed Peas for a mesmerising rendition of their huge hit Where Is The Love?. Miley joined the evening’s host for a stripped back cover of Crowded House’ Don’t Dream It’s Over, and Grande teamed up with her boyfriend and rapper Mac Miller for The Way and Dang!.

The evening’s most powerful moment might be reserved for the Parrs Wood High School Choir though, and their emotional delivery of Grande’s 2014 hit My Everything.

The phenomenal setlist

Here’s a list of each performance during the evening:

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
Parrs Wood High School 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

Far more than a live show

One Love Manchester was far more than a live show. It was testament to not just the power of music, but the power of people. To how love, respect and understand can counteract hatred.

Ariana Grande and the organisers of the One Love Manchester concert would like to thank:
– Greater Manchester Police and all the emergency services
– Manchester City Council
– Trafford Council
– Transport for Greater Manchester
– Manchester United, the Michael Carrick Foundation and Michael Carrick, in particular, as the kick off for his testimonial match has been moved to accommodate the concert.
– Live Nation, who are underwriting the cost of the event and producing it through Festival Republic in association with SJM Concerts.
– Lancashire County Cricket Club and Emirates Old Trafford, who are hosting the event
– The Outside Organisation for handling publicity for the event

Catch up on the BBC

Relive One Love Manchester now courtesy of the BBC over on iPlayer.

Thank you to all involved in making One Love Manchester a success, and to the fans for once again shining the light in Manchester.