By: Jordyn Tilchen//
Although devastation struck Manchester on May 22nd when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device at Manchester Arena, the city continues to prove their strength and resilience. In honor of the 22 lives lost on that day, Ariana Grande organized an extraordinarily touching and star-studded benefit concert at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground last Sunday.
The benefit concert attracted a crowd of 50,000 people and raised over $3 million for the Manchester Emergency Fund, proof that not even the most horrific of acts can keep people from leaving their homes to come together in peace, unity and happiness. Each artist spread messages of love and sang songs that would help the city heal after the enormous loss of life they’d experienced less than 2 weeks earlier.
Although the energy was high for much of the concert, including Pharrell and Miley’s collaboration on “Happy” and Ariana’s performance of some of her greatest hits, there were also extremely touching and tear-jerking moments too. Coldplay performed an emotional rendition of “Don’t Look Back in Anger” as the crowd of 50k strong sang along in unison. Ariana participated in a variety of extremely moving collaborations, from “Don’t Dream It’s Over” with Miley Cyrus, “Better Days” with Victoria Monet, and “Where is the Love?” with the Black Eyed Peas.
If the collaborations and general feeling of togetherness at the benefit weren’t enough to completely break you down into tears, Ariana closed the show with a solo performance of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz. Overall, the One Love benefit was the perfect showcase of love and unity in Manchester at a time that they needed it most. Not only did it unite the people of Manchester and provide them comfort, but also it stunningly honored the young and beautiful lives lost on that tragic day. We’d like to give a huge shout out to Ariana and the other performers for making this benefit happen, and all our love to the brave city of Manchester who showed up to the outdoor music venue in large numbers fearlessly, with a ton of love in their hearts.
