Ariana Grande headlined a star-studded benefit concert following the terrorist attack last month.
Little hands of young women connected in a circle in the back of the Emirates Arena in Manchester on a warm Sunday night. Soon a female officer donned in her uniform joined this circle of dancing young women bringing the world together in a unique moment. Over 50,000 people were in attendance and nearly 14.5 million watched the live stream as artists from Katy Perry to Niall Horan took the stage for the benefit concert headed by Ariana Grande.
Following the terrorist attack that took place after Grande’s concert last month Grande and company organized a major benefit concert in just under a week. The event, One Love Manchester, raised $3 million for the Manchester Emergency Fund. Many stories came out of this truly emotional event including Grande comforting a young choir singer on stage.
Bottom line, this went beyond just the music. The mood of this whole event was one of hope and love. Even if you were watching on YouTube you could feel this. That is the unique thing about music. Sometimes it isn’t about the performance at all but the connection we all have to the music itself. The day after the attack occurred in Manchester many remarked that this took place at an event where young adults and children felt safe; a place many often associate with a sense of belonging and home.
Think about it for a moment, how powerful is it to witness thousands of people of all backgrounds and ages come together to listen to and enjoy music? There is no ulterior motive at concerts and unfortunately this ideal was tainted last month. And yet something truly incredible has taken place since that terrible night. It was love that led Grande and her team to coordinate, quite last minute, a benefit concert that went off without a hitch.
Artist after artist took the stage in a smooth transition uttering messages of love and hope, of unity and strength. While I listened to the 3-hour audio on Spotify this morning I often had goosebumps and even had to choke back tears. That is the power of music in all its forms. It doesn’t matter the genre, the person performing, or even the background of the person standing on either side of you. For just a few hours you get the chance to focus on the beat, smile out of pure joy, and in this instance find a place to heal.
We’ve all experienced a concert at some point in our lives-if you haven’t I highly recommend getting on it- and we we are familiar with the pull we all have to the music and that euphoric feeling. It feels like nothing is impossible and that message right there is what Grande and other artists sought to communicate Sunday evening in Manchester. We may be brought down by the horrific acts of violent individuals and groups, we may have to deal with discrimination in all its ugly forms, but right here where music exists is how we push against the evil.
Many artists made comments of sympathy and love while on stage, but the most genuine moment of the evening for me was Justin Bieber’s message. When Bieber took to the stage he instructed the audience to put their hand in the air if they were not going to give up on life or love. As hands raised up all over the arena Bieber remarked that, “God is good in the midst of darkness. In the midst of evil. God is in the midst.” While this message from Bieber was religious it still rang true. God is good in the midst of all of the evil in the world.
We all heal in our own way but I have much respect for Grande and the artists who took the stage Sunday evening. Music is a powerful force that unites many people. The message was heard loud and clear following this event: we will not be overcome by evil. We will continue dancing, singing, and remembering. One of the best comments to come from this event I stumbled upon via Twitter this morning.
While the Tweet above is humorous it is also true. Evil’s intent is not only to harm but to divide and make people feel vulnerable. But what took place this past weekend certainly proved that this is not what will take place. Katy Perry lead this message with one of her own when she said, “It’s not easy to always choose love, is it? Especially in moments like these. It can be the most difficult thing to do. But love conquers fear and love conquers hate, and this love you choose will give you strength and it’s our greatest power.” Love conquers all.
Let us move forward with this message in mind. We will not be overcome by evil. What a powerful thing.