The Manchester Arena has reopened for a concert in front of 14,000 music fans, less than four months after 22 people lost their lives in a terrorist bomb attack.
Among the acts at the ‘We Are Manchester’ gig were local heroes Noel Gallagher and Peter Kay.
#WeAreManchester https://t.co/WyTAlswLGE— Manchester Arena (@ManchesterArena) 9 September 2017
Also on the bill were the likes of the Courteeners, Rick Astley and poet Tony Walsh.
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham began the evening with a tribute to the victims.
He said: “I want to thank each and every one of you tonight for being here tonight and for supporting the families who lost loved ones – we think of them tonight and we also think of people still recovering from their injuries.”
Oh yes. This is what the spirit of Manchester looks like. #WeAreManchester ❤️ pic.twitter.com/O1KavXaNjP— Mayor Andy Burnham (@MayorofGM) 9 September 2017
Most of the acts avoided referring to the attack itself, instead highlighting the resilient spirit of Manchester.
The suicide attack in May came at the end of an Ariana Grande concert, attended by thousands of young people.
As fans were leaving the auditorium, British Sunni Muslim Salman Abedi detonated a homemade bomb packed with nuts an bolts to act as shrapnel in the foyer of the arena.
Although the venue tried to give off an air of business as usual, security was ramped up for the reopening, with backpacks banned, body scanners at the entrance and armed police on patrol.
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