Manchester Arena to reopen with We Are Manchester benefit concert headlined by Noel Gallagher

A date has been set for the reopening of Manchester Arena following the May terrorism attack that caused the venue to temporarily close.

Following construction work to return the venue to its former state, Manchester Arena will open its doors once again on Saturday September 9 with We Are Manchester, a new benefit concert featuring musicians mostly from Manchester and the Lancashire area. Tickets will go on sale from 9am tomorrow morning (August 17).

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds top the bill, while fellow Mancunians Courteeners also feature on the line-up. Blossoms and Rick Astley are also confirmed, plus Inspiral Carpets band member and DJ Clint Boon will perform a pre-show DJ set. Bugzy Malone, Pixie Lott and Louisa Johnson are also taking part.

More acts are expected to be announced shortly, and it won't just be musical acts taking to the stage; poet Tony Walsh, who delivered a moving tribute to the victims of May's attack at a vigil in the city, will speak once again.

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Profits from We Are Manchester will raise money for the Manchester Memorial Fund, a charitable trust which will go towards establishing a permanent memorial for the victims of the May attack, where a lone suicide bomber ended his life, killing 22 concert goers at an Ariana Grande show.

This latest benefit concert follows the One Love Manchester show back in June, which saw Ariana and her team bring together some of the world's biggest musicians together to remember those who lost their lives following her concert in May. Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Chris Martin and Miley Cyrus were just some of the names who performed.

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."

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