Noel Gallagher in 2006
The Manchester MEN Arena in the U.K. has been closed since the tragic suicide bombing that killed 22 people during an Ariana Grande concert on May 22. On Sept. 9, the venue will reopen officially with a concert—titled We Are Manchester—starring Noel Gallagher, former co-leader of Britpop faves Oasis. Gallagher will perform with his band High Flying Birds.
Also on the bill are Rick Astley, the singer of the perennial YouTube favorite “Never Gonna Give You Up,” and indie bands the Courteeners and Blossoms. Poet Tony Walsh will also address the crowd. Pixie Lott, X Factor’s Louisa Johnson and Bugzy Malone have also been confirmed.
Proceeds from the Gallagher concert are slated to go to the Manchester Memorial Fund, with funds directed toward establishing a permanent memorial.
Related: When Noel Gallagher played at a fan’s home
“May’s events will never be forgotten, but they will not stop us, or Mancunian music fans, from coming together to enjoy live music,” said James Allen, general manager of the arena, in a statement.
The Gallagher performance is actually not the first show to take place at the arena since the tragedy. In June, Grande returned to headline One Love Manchester, a show that reportedly raised more than $13 million to aid families of the victims. Grande was joined at that show by Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams and Niall Horan.
Related: Musicians expressed their grief over the Manchester bombing
Gallagher has reportedly been donating proceeds from the Oasis hit “Don’t Look Back in Anger” to families of the victims as well. It is unknown whether his brother and fellow Oasis member Liam Gallagher will join him at the concert; the two are famously estranged and rarely share the same space.
Tickets to the September concert are already sold out, reported several British news sources.
Watch Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds in their “Ballad of the Mighty” video
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