The bombing on May 22, 2017, outside of the Manchester (U.K.) Arena, just as a concert by Ariana Grande was ending, sparked an outpouring of grief from the artist community who were justifiably outraged by the cowardly act which targeted its innocent victims.
Twenty-two souls were lost that day. Many of the concertgoers included children, perhaps attending their first live concert of their young lives and it’s difficult to imagine the horror and emotional scars that they will carry.
Though Grande announced the cancellation of the rest of her tour, she returned to Manchester on June 4 for a magnificent #OneLoveManchester benefit concert. The event also included live performances by native son Liam Gallagher, plus Coldplay, Pharrell Williams and Miley Cyrus, among others.
On May 22, 2018, the first anniversary of the bombing, bells rang in Manchester for a full minute at precisely 10:30 p.m. to mark the exact moment of the attack.
In the hours and days following the tragedy, numerous classic rock stars and other entertainers, expressed their feelings via social media.
broken.
from the bottom of my heart, i am so so sorry. i don’t have words.— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) May 23, 2017
The Rolling Stones, via Facebook: The Rolling Stones are deeply shocked to hear about the appalling events in Manchester and send their condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy.
Sending love to Manchester. To all our friends there and all who are grieving for their families. Shocked and sad. Bri
— Dr. Brian May (@DrBrianMay) May 23, 2017
Manchester native Liam Gallagher of Oasis…
In total shock and absolutely devastated about what’s gone down in MANCHESTER sending Love and Light to all the family’s involved LG x
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) May 23, 2017
My thoughts & prayers are with those in Manchester. We just played there Sat & love that amazing city. Shocking & sad. #Manchester
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) May 23, 2017
Scary to hear what happened in Manchester tonight. Love and Mercy to the victims. These terrible acts have to end.
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) May 23, 2017
Beatles reissues producer Giles Martin…
I had three amazing years in Manchester, there’s no better place for community, human spirit and music. My heart goes out to everyone there.
— Giles Martin (@mashupmartin) May 23, 2017
My thoughts, prayers and tears for all those affected by the Manchester tragedy tonight. I’m sending all my love.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) May 23, 2017
James Corden on CBS’ The Late Late Show: “When I think of Manchester, the place that I know, I think of the spirit of the people there, and I’m telling you a more tight-knit group of people you would be hard-pressed to find. Strong, proud, caring people, a community at its core. And if it was even possible, the spirit of the people of Manchester will grow even stronger.”
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families in Manchester https://t.co/PmzWyKPp27 pic.twitter.com/X2P2a2bCQc
— BlackSabbath (@BlackSabbath) May 23, 2017
My dear @ArianaGrande my sorrow and thoughts are with the innocent victims and all their families at this tragic time. Andrea #Manchester
— Andrea Bocelli (@AndreaBocelli) May 23, 2017
My heart goes out to everybody effected by the horror of recent events in Manchester , and to Ariana
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) May 23, 2017
Our prayers and strengh to the victims and their families involved in this tragedy in Manchester. Stay strong. @ArianaGrande 🙏🏾
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 22, 2017
MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO PPL OF MANCHESTER…HAD SPECIAL TIMES THERE FROM YOUTH & BEYOND
— Cher (@cher) May 22, 2017
Sending love and condolences to the good people of #Manchester .
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) May 23, 2017
Apollo Theatre Manchester
Tues Sept 23, 1980 pic.twitter.com/I3wDCPrOs4— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) May 23, 2017
Meat Loaf (via Facebook): “My heart cries today, my love and prayers go out for the victims and their families, who lost loved ones at the Manchester Arena last evening. There are really no words I can every write, that will ever sooth the heartache of the families. To those who where at the Manchester Arena your lives have changed forever and not for the better. My Love to all of Manchester.”
From Blondie, who postponed their concert scheduled for the next evening (May 23) in London…
Our love to Manchester, thinking of you all
— Debbie Harry/BLONDIE (@BlondieOfficial) May 23, 2017
#SilenceForManchester pic.twitter.com/T7pdCFGaxF
— Guns N’ Roses (@gunsnroses) May 23, 2017
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) May 23, 2017
Sending love and prayers to everyone in Manchester 🇬🇧 #PrayForManchester pic.twitter.com/lNRnwLVs91
— Aerosmith (@Aerosmith) May 24, 2017
And on the 5th anniversary of the bombing…
— AO Arena (@AOArena) May 21, 2022
On June 4, 2017, Grande returned to Manchester, along with many other pop icons to perform at a benefit concert. When Coldplay’s Chris Martin took the stage with Grande, he said, “Ariana, we all want to say thank you for being so strong and so wonderful. You’ve been singing a lot for us so we in Britain want to sing for you.” He then performed an acoustic version of Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger.”
Plenty of artists that couldn’t attend had pre-taped comments of support expressing “I Stand With Manchester,” including Paul McCartney, Bastille, Kings of Leon and Twenty One Pilots.
We’ve all attended hundreds—thousands—of public events, typically without fear. Don’t stop going to concerts, ballgames, movies, etc.! But please be vigilant. Here are listings of hundreds of classic rock tours taking place this year.
