In the face of a growing number of violent terror attacks in the UK in recent weeks, Ariana Grande’s One Love Manchester concert was wall-to-wall people. The concert, at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground on Sunday evening, was attended by more than 50,000 people after selling out in just a few minutes.
According to the New York Times, the mood at the One Love Manchester concert seemed to be one of defiance amid tight security. The concert, itself a benefit to assist the victims of a terror attack two weeks ago at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, came just hours after seven civilians died in a separate terror incident in London.
Hosted by Grande, the concert featuring performances by Coldplay, Oasis, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Take That, Black Eyed Peas and others.
Some fans expressed trepidation about attending the concert, but still, they came out to support the message.
“It puts you on edge a bit, but you can’t let those things affect you,” one attendee, 22-year-old Lily Gardner told the Times. “You can’t stop it from living your life, doing what you want to do.”
Grande’s manager Scooter Braun thanked the audience from stage during the event and applauded their bravery in attending.
“Last night this nation was challenged, and all of you were challenged, and you had a decision to make if you were going to come out here tonight,” Braun told the crowd. “And this is so beautiful. You guys made that decision. You looked fear right in the face and you said, No, we are Manchester, and the world is watching.”
Universal Music Group Donates $500,000
Ahead of the concert on Sunday, Ariana Grande’s label announced that it would be making a substantial donation to the cause.
Universal Music Group, the parent company to Grande’s label Republic Records, announced that had donated $500,000 to the “We Love Manchester Memorial Fund,” a charity established to aid the victims and families following the May 22 attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester.
“The Universal Music Group global family is proud to stand with Ariana Grande and its other performing artists in their support for the victims and families affected by the Manchester attack,” UMG said in a statement.
Apart form the label’s contribution, Grande’s benefit will donate the net proceeds from the concert to the British Red Cross Society for its Manchester Emergency Fund
via Celebrity Access