Ariana Grande© Photo: Getty Images

Ariana Grande's One Love Manchester benefit concert: live updates

Stars paid tribute to the victims of the Manchester Arena attack at the concert

Lifestyle Features Editor
June 4, 2017
© Photo: Getty Images

Ariana Grande was joined by some of the world's biggest musicians at the One Love Manchester benefit concert in aid of the victims of the city's shocking terrorist attack two weeks ago. The One Last Time singer was supported by friends and peers including Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Coldplay and Take That for the concert hosted at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday evening, where all proceeds went towards the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.

STORY: How to watch Ariana's Grande's One Love Manchester concert

Since returning to the UK on Friday, Ariana has spent time visiting some of her fans who were injured in the attack, as well as ensuring Sunday's star-studded show is a fitting and poignant tribute to the 22 fans who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena attack, along with those affected by the terror attack at London Bridge on Saturday night. Following Saturday's incident, Ariana's manager Scooter Braun posted a statement to his Twitter page. He said: "Today's One Love Manchester benefit concert will not only continue, but will do so with greater purpose. We must not be afraid, and in tribute to all those affected here and around the world, we will bring our voices together and sing loudly." He continued: "All artists involved have been unwavering in their support this morning and are determined to carry on with the show."

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© Photo: Instagram

Ariana was joined backstage by Take That as preparations and sound checks for the concert were underway on Sunday. The singer, who was wearing a One Love Manchester sweatshirt, stood with Manchester locals Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald for the photo at the Emirates Old Trafford. Gary later posted the photo on his Instagram account, simply adding the caption: "#onelove #manchester."

The show opened with a performance from Mumford and Sons lead singer Marcus Mumford, who led the crowd in a minute's silence before performing an acoustic version of the band's song Timshel for the 50,000 strong crowd. With lyrics that included the words, "You are not alone in this" it was a poignant start to the concert and visibly moved some members of the audience.

Photo: BBC

Take That started their performance as a trio with their hit song Shine before singing their latest single Giants. The group said their thoughts were with everyone who had been affected by the attack, but wanted everyone to stay strong. The popular Manchester musicians closed their set with a performance of Rule The World, before introducing their former bandmate Robbie Williams to the stage.

Photo: BBC

Although Take That didn't perform together, they did all stand together and take a bow before Gary, Mark and Howard left the stage and Robbie burst into a rendition of his hit song Strong. The singer changed the lyrics of the song to say, "Manchester, we're strong," which the crowd sang along loudly. Robbie also performed his single Angels, and looked visibly choked when his performance came to an end.

Photo: BBC

Up next was Pharrell, who uplifted the crowd with a performance of his song Get Lucky, which was accompanied by Marcus Mumford. Both Miley Cyrus and Black Eyed Peas were spotted dancing along to Pharrell's set at the side of the stage, before the singer invited Miley on stage to perform Happy with him. Miley said she was "honoured" to have been invited to perform at the benefit concert, and praised Ariana for being an "amazing role model" to her fans and arranging the concert to help all of those who had been affected by the attack.

Photo: BBC

One Direction star Niall Horan was next on the line-up, and performed his solo songs Slow Hands and his debut single This Town. Before introducing the song Niall paid tribute to the people of Manchester for always making him feel welcome, and added: "We love you, we're with you, the whole world is watching and I want to dedicate this song to you."

Photo: BBC

Scooter Braun paid tribute to the people of Manchester for choosing to come out to the concert regardless of the terror attack that took place in London on Saturday. The manager said Manchester's bravery gave the world hope, and revealed that Ariana had performed her first ever show in Manchester exactly two years ago today on 4 June 2015. He introduced her to the stage as the "bravest person I know" and revealed she had said she couldn't stand to do nothing following the attack in May.

Photo: BBC

Ariana walked on stage to huge cheers while wearing a One Love Manchester sweatshirt and jeans. She held hands with a troupe of dancers before performing her songs Be Alright and Break Free. The performer appeared in good spirits and encouraged the crowd to sing and dance along, before closing her set with pink streamers bursting out across the crowd.

Photo: BBC

Little Mix were next on the bill. The girl band, who were originally supposed to be performing on the Britain's Got Talent final, said they were "so so happy to be a part of this incredible day". Jade explained that they had chosen a song "to empower people to stand together and not let anyone bring them down" - their debut single Wings.

Photo: BBC

Following Little Mix's performance Ariana Grande returned to the stage with Victoria Monet to sing Better Days, then introduced Black Eyed Peas, who she joined for a duet of Where is the Love? Will.i.am shared his appreciation for the Mayor and police forces who had been working in both Manchester and London following the recent terror incidents in a speech during the moving performance.

Photo: BBC

One of the most touching moments of the evening came when Ariana joined the Harmony Choir from Parrs Wood High School Choir for a performance. Many of the people in the choir had been at Ariana's concert in Manchester on 22 May, and were moved to tears at performing with their idol in wake of the attack.

Photo: BBC

Ariana's boyfriend Mac Miller joined her on stage for a surprise performance of two songs. "This concert's about love, right?" she asked the crowd, before Mac walked on to the stage to screams from the crowd of 50,000 fans. Ariana appeared happy to have been joined by her boyfriend at the event, which is raising funds for the We Love Manchester emergency fund and being hosted in memory of those affected by the Manchester Arena attack following her concert on 22 May.

Photo: BBC

Ariana was joined by Miley Cyrus for a duet of Don't Dream It's Over, with the pair sharing several embraces while they performed together. Following the song Ariana got emotional as she told the crowd that during her visit to those affected by the attack she had met with the mother of Olivia Campbell-Hardy who was killed in the explosion, and the meeting had caused her to entirely change the show. The singer explained that Charlotte had told her that Olivia would have wanted to hear Ariana's hits, leading her to incorporate some of her popular singles such as Side to Side and Break Free into the set.

Photo: BBC

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