Oasis’ Liam Gallagher, Coldplay Rock Manchester

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Liam Gallagher performing at the June 4, 2017 benefit

An A-List of contemporary pop stars delighted the sold-out crowd at Sunday’s (June 4, 2017) #OneLoveManchester benefit concert. The event–at times joyful, at others tearful–at the city’s Old Trafford cricket ground, was organized quickly in the aftermath of the May 22 terrorist attack that occurred moments after Ariana Grande had finished a concert at the Manchester Arena.

In the days following the attack, Grande had vowed to return to the city, in a number of social media posts. And on May 30, the announcement came that she had done just that. Fellow pop icons Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Pharrell and more, all committed to performing. They were joined by many others including surprise guest Liam Gallagher, though a hoped-for-reunion of he and brother Noel Gallagher didn’t transpire. The event was live streamed on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and elsewhere, around the world.

Many artists that couldn’t attend, including Paul McCartney, sent their greetings in a video shown to the audience (see below).

Ariana Grande served as host of the June 4 benefit

Say what you will about the state of contemporary music. But none of these artists had to donate their time to the event, made all the more poignant following Saturday night’s (June 3) terrorist attack in London.

Grande, clad in a white “One Love Manchester” sweatshirt, served as the host of the June 4 benefit which included numerous collaborations among the featured acts. The Black Eyed Peas and Cyrus teamed for “Where is the Love.” Pharrell and Cyrus delighted the crowd with a playful version of Pharrell’s 2013 blockbuster hit, “Happy.”

Most artists performed two songs while offering words of encouragement to England’s second-largest city. And 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.”

Coldplay also played “Fix You” and their huge 2008 #1 smash, a triumphant “Viva la Vida,” as Martin owned the stage. If you don’t get chills at the 3:06 mark, better check your pulse.

Gallagher had performed at a We Love Manchester benefit concert earlier on May 30, playing several Oasis songs including “Live Forever,” “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” fueling speculation of an on-stage reunion with his brother.

At Sunday’s One Love Manchester concert, he again sang “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” to the cheers of the delighted crowd. He also played his new solo single, “Wall of Glass,” and then Oasis’ “Live Forever,” accompanied by Chris Martin.

Earlier Cyrus and Grande teamed for a cover of Crowded House‘s “Don’t Dream It’s Over.”

Grande sang an emotional “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” as the evening’s final number.

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.