Former Oasis star Noel Gallagher is to headline a special benefit concert to reopen Manchester Arena next month.
The venue has been closed since the bomb attack at an Ariana Grande concert on 22 May, which left 22 people dead.
It will reopen on 9 September with a fundraising show featuring a number of north-west acts with the proceeds going to the Manchester Memorial Fund, a new charitable fund to pay for a permanent memorial to the victims of the Manchester attack.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds will be joined by indie bands The Courteeners and Blossoms, 1980s pop star Rick Astley, and Manchester poet Tony Walsh.
James Allen, General Manager of Manchester Arena said: “May’s events will never be forgotten, but they will not stop us – or Mancunian music fans – from coming together to enjoy live music. Manchester Arena has celebrated over 20 years hosting some of the greatest musical talent of all time, and the significant economic and cultural impact that this has on the city means that this legacy must continue.
Councillor Sue Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Those who perpetrate terrorist attacks want to divide us and stifle our freedoms. No one will ever forget the terrible events of 22 May but Manchester has reacted with love, solidarity and a determination to continue doing the things which make this such a vibrant city.
“We welcome the re-opening of the Arena, a major venue which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, as a powerful symbol of this defiant and resilient spirit. It is entirely fitting that the re-opening event should be a memorial fundraiser. Plans for the form and location of any permanent commemorations will be determined in liaison with the families of victims and others affected by the attack.”
