Manchester Arena reopens after terror attack with benefit concert
Manchester Arena will reopen for the first time since the May terror attack with a benefit concert to honour the 22 people killed.
Saturday 9 September 2017 06:41, UK
Four months after a terrorist attack at the Manchester Arena the venue re-opens on Saturday night with a benefit show.
Headlined by former Oasis star Noel Gallagher the show will raise money for a permanent memorial to the victims who died in the atrocity.
Comedian Russell Kane, who is hosting the event, told Paste BN: "I like to think this show is typical of the British spirit, the way we hit back.
"When I was little my Great Nan used to tell me, 'During the war we didn't sit around counting our rations. If the Germans bombed us we were down in the tunnel and had a sing-song'... that is the British spirit.
"We pick up our guitars if we're Noel Gallagher, we pick up our microphones and tell jokes if we're Russell Kane, and we have a gig, we have music, and we show how strong we are."
Twenty-two people were killed and 250 were injured when a suicide bomber detonated a shrapnel-filled bomb as fans were leaving an Ariana Grande concert at the arena on 22 May.
Among the arena's 14,000-strong crowd tonight will be relatives of those who died, and survivors.
Stuart Murray's stepson, Martyn Hett, was one of those killed.
Mr Murray said he had mixed emotions about visiting the venue: "It brings a lot of images and feelings and thoughts as I come here and I suppose we've been through so much that I can suppress them but yes there's a lot going through my mind."
But he said he supported "the show must go on" approach by the city of Manchester.
"It's something you just have to do. The human species has to do this. It has to pick itself up and carry on."
Additional security measures have been introduced since the bomb attack and the sell-out crowd is being asked not to brings bags.
Arena general manager James Allen said a lot of work had been done to ensure people were protected both physically and mentally.
"There will be people who have difficult memories and we've considered that. We are working very closely with family liaison and the Foundation for Peace, and we have support here on the night not only for the public but for staff and anybody who needs assistance."