On June 4, 2017, Ariana Grande and a lineup of global artists gathered 55,000 people in Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, in a triumphant act of defiance and unity. The benefit concert, dubbed One Love Manchester, was organized in response to the tragic terrorism attack at Grande’s earlier show. Its purpose was more than fundraising—it was a healing hymn for a grieving city.
Music became a weapon of hope that night. From Little Mix’s performance to Coldplay leading anthems like “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and “Fix You,” the concert offered solace and solidarity, especially for young people finding their place in difficult times.
Ariana Grande reflected:
“Olivia would have wanted to hear the hits… You play your hits… Don’t let anybody tell you not to do something.”
Performing pop anthems filled with energy and positivity wasn't distraction—it was deliberate resilience. By keeping the music uplifting, she reaffirmed young people’s right to joy, identity, and expression despite trauma (New Statesman).
One Love Manchester exemplifies the core of MyPEACE: youth-led peacebuilding through music. It showed that when young voices perform together, supported by educators and stakeholders, a powerful message of unity emerges. Our upcoming music sessions echo this spirit—showcasing how creativity can overcome fear, connect cultures, and amplify hope.
This performance captures the electric poignancy of the concert: raw emotion, communal resilience, and youth empowerment in one song.
Stay tuned—our MyPEACE music sessions are launching soon! We’ll be collecting performances and reflections from youth across Europe, all edited into powerful videos to be shared widely on our platform. Want to join? Hit reply—let’s make peace through music, together.