Manchester victims honoured as arena reopens with benefit concert

The crowd at 'We Are Manchester' show the "spirit of Manchester" won't be dulled by terrorism. Photo / Getty Images

The 22 victims of the Manchester Arena terror attack have been honoured during a benefit concert at the reopened venue.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham spoke at the beginning of the show, reciting the names of those lost while thousands of fans cheered for each one.

Burnham told them: "Thank you to the city for coming together. Thank you for being who you are. We are Manchester, a city united, nothing will ever change us, nothing will ever divide us."

Oh yes. This is what the spirit of Manchester looks like. #WeAreManchester ❤️🐝 pic.twitter.com/O1KavXaNjP

— Mayor Andy Burnham (@MayorofGM) September 9, 2017

Noel Gallagher performed at the event, joined by a whole host of famous faces - including Pixie Lott, Blossoms, Bugzy Malone and The Courteeners - as they all gathered to pay tribute to the 23 people who were killed in a terror attack after an Ariana Grande concert back in May.

Poet Tony Walsh also read out a poignant tribute reciting 'This is the Place'.

He said: "The world is watching, the world is listening and the world now knows that this is the place. We are beautiful, we are multi-cultural, we are Manchester, we are magnificent and we are back."

so happy the arenas reopened again, a place for lots of happy memories to be made but to also always remember the 22👼🏼💗 #WeAreManchester

— rach (@RacheyLouise_x) September 9, 2017

Meanwhile, Charlotte Campbell, whose 15-year-old daughter Olivia died in the attack, admitted it was a "massive mix of emotions" returning to the venue.

She said: "We have had to come back to show defiance, to show we are not scared and we don't want Manchester to be scared. Music was Olivia's life. If she had been still here today she would have been walking through those doors with us, showing her defiance, that they may have got her but she's not beaten. She's here with us.

"It's a massive mix of emotions, there will be tears, there will be laughter, but the main thing is we are here. We have proved no one is going to beat us."

The event - which was attended by 14,000 people - is in aid of raising funds for a permanent memorial for those who lost their life in the devastating attack.

-Bang! Showbiz