One Love Manchester
Originally I didn’t plan on sharing a post on the One Love Manchester benefit concert today. I actually didn’t plan on talking about the terrorist attack on Manchester at all. There was an entirely different post scheduled to go live today.
The thing is, something struck me during the show. It was a moment when Chris Martin from Coldplay was singing the Oasis classic, “Don’t Look Back in Anger” to Ariana Grande that I just knew I had to change course. Coldplay is a very important band to me and that song has always touched me. I’ve been fortunate enough to see Chris Martin a few times because of Global Citizen as well as Noel Gallagher perform due to Governors Ball. Something about all of those variables coming together in support of One Love Manchester was just really special for me.
It actually brought me to tears.
Chris Martin
Music Is Safety
Music is such a safe place for people. (Click to Tweet) It’s where I go to find common ground, where I go when there is nowhere else to turn, where I go when I’m thrilled and where I go when I want to remember.
Violet Roots has always had a strong connection to music and that’s because I, Monika, feel incredibly strongly about it. I’ve never been the most talkative person in the room. I’m shy and reserved until I get to know someone. I have social anxiety and it at times prevents me from being able to reach my full potential. There are moments when I can’t engage as much and times when I can’t venture out because I simply can’t fathom the idea of having to interact with others.
You know the only time when I never have this problem? At a live show.
My Relationship with Live Music
When I’m at a live show nothing else matters. I get lost in the music and get transported to another dimension. The beat guides me and the lyrics make sense of the sounds. Everyone there is just there to have a good time and to experience the euphoric release that only a live show can deliver. I attend shows in groups as well as on my own. Trust me, that’s kind of a big deal for someone with social anxiety. Still, music gives me the power to overcome all of my hangups and to live my best life.
Why Now?
What happened in Manchester is beyond awful. I don’t even know how to describe it. Not only was it targeted at children and young people of all ages but it really just revealed the depth of how deeply disturbed people can be.
All attacks that happen like this are horrific and the only reason why I haven’t felt the need to voice my opinion on all of these instances is that although they are unthinkable none of them have deeply impacted me in this way. I think that although the outpouring of support and affection for the victims of these all too frequent attacks is encouraging it’s not always necessary to lend your own voice to the mass.
For me, it’s best to let those who feel deeply compelled and impacted to speak their truths.(Click to Tweet) When that happens it’s better to allow them time to share their thoughts and concerns. That way you can lend a concerned and supportive ear to them and fully absorb what they have to say. The worst thing you can do is to share your thoughts just for the sake of it or just because you’d like to add to the hashtag. The last thing I want is to drown out valid opinions and thoughts with unnecessary chatter.
When 9/11 happened I felt the need to speak since my uncle was a survivor. When Beirut was attacked I spoke because my partner is from there. In those cases, like this one, I felt deeply and personally impacted and compelled to speak up.
Reflecting on the Show
I know this feature is significantly more personal than my typical fare but, as I stated, I felt like I needed to share this with you. Music means so much to me. To see the physical enjoyment of it threatened in this way and taken out on so many young people was heartbreaking.
Although music matters to people of all ages, I know how much more it matters when you’re young. For me, at a young age, I wasn’t always able to articulate my feelings but I was always able to rely on a song that could. I know I’m not the only one. As I watched the One Love Manchester concert I saw so many young people crowded together with smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes. They were happily defiant and stronger in their solidarity. (Click to Tweet)
I was happy with all of the performances at One Love Manchester and thrilled with the raw emotion most of them left on the stage. Ariana Grande was incredibly brave and I appreciate her so much more now than I did previously. I’ve always been a fan of hers but seeing how tough it was for her to get through the show and how much it meant to her gave me a whole new level of respect for her. My highlight of the show was the entire segment of Chris Martin and Coldplay but I also enjoyed every time Ariana took the stage along with Katy Perry.
You can check out the show featuring Justin Bieber, Black Eyed Peas, Miley Cyrus, Liam Gallagher and more here and donate to the cause here. Scroll down to relive some of the hits performed at One Love Manchester and stop by Spotify to get your music fix today!
Black Eyed Peas
Mac Miller
Katy Perry
Justin Bieber
What do you think of One Love Manchester? Did you watch or attend?