Emotional BRIT Awards tribute to victims of Manchester Arena attack
Liam Gallagher performed and Gary Barlow paid tribute
On May 22nd 2017 our city was left in shock after a vicious act of terror targeted innocent Ariana Grande concert-goers at the Manchester Arena, leaving 22 dead and injuring many more. Since then there have been a number of musical tributes to the victims, including the One Love Manchester and We Are Manchester concerts, and tonight The BRIT Awards paid their respects.
Ariana Grande had been scheduled to perform but had sadly fallen ill. However Manchester mega-star Liam Gallagher stepped in at the last minute to perform Oasis hit 'Live Forever'.
Gary Barlow took to the stage to talk about the night that was remembered for the "saddest of the reasons". The Take That singer said "May 22nd 2017 will always be remembered for the saddest of reasons. That night 14,000 people were having the greatest of times watching Ariana Grande perform at the Manchester Arena. These innocent, beautiful music loving people were blissfully unaware that in just a few moments their lives would change forever."
He solemnly continued, "A horrific terrorist attack took place, stealing the lives, dreams and futures of 22 people, while injuring and maiming 100s of others. Lives changed irrevocably forever. A few weeks later Ariana Grande returned to host the One Love Manchester concert helping the families of the victims and survivors of the tragedy. It was an event that epitomised the human spirit, an event that showed hate would never win and fear will never divide us. In a tribute to the people we so sadly lost that day, who will always live on in our hearts, in our minds, in our memories, please welcome on stage, Liam Gallagher."
We will never forget those who sadly lost their lives that night. Kelly Brewster, Alison Howe, Angelika Klis, Chloe Rutherford, Liam Curry, Eilidh MacLeod, Elaine McIver, Georgina Callander, Jane Tweddle-Taylor, John Atkinson, Lisa Lees, Marcin Klis, Martyn Hett, Megan Hurley, Michelle Kiss, Nell Jones, Olivia Campbell, Saffie Roussos, Sorrell Leczkowski, Wendy Fawell, Courtney Boyle and Philip Tron.