On June 4, pop princess Katy Perry performed two of her biggest hits at Ariana Grande's "One Love Manchester" benefit concert that was held in England, in front of a huge crowd. Perry was part of an all-star cast of musicians that united for this cause, with the proceeds going toward the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund, which is helping the victims and families of the Manchester bombing.
These global music stars that participated in the "One Love Manchester" show included Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Niall Horan, Imogen Heap, Little Mix, Coldplay, Liam Gallagher and Grande herself, among others.
Exercise of love
"Manchester," Katy Perry shouted. "How are you doing tonight? It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" She went on to express her gratitude for being there, prior to noting how honored and humbled she was to be sharing and spreading love. The pop princess went on to thank Grande for her incredible courage, as well as her strength during this crucial time, and for inviting her.
She underscored that love conquers fear and that love conquers fate, and "this love that you choose will give you strength." Afterwards, she asked the fans in the audience to participate in an "exercise of love." Perry asked them to touch the person next to them, whether it was a friend, family member, or stranger, in an effort to make human contact.
"Tell them 'I love you,' look in their eyes. Do it, everyone up there," she said, and the response was enormous. "I encourage you to choose love, even when it's difficult. Let no one take that away from you."
Perry's set-list
She kicked off her set with an acoustic rendition of "Part of Me," where she was backed by her two background vocalists.
Following the warm reception from her first song, she asked the fans if they "were ready to roar?" and the answer was a resounding yes.
"You ready to get louder?" she screamed. "We will not be silent, Manchester. Let's go." "Roar" opened with a verse from "It's the Hard Knock Life" from the hit musical "Annie." Midway through the chorus of "Roar," Perry encouraged everybody in the audience to sing along with her.
The song featured a powerhouse vocal ending from Perry. "One Love Manchester," she screamed, prior to leaving the stage.
The Verdict
Overall, Katy Perry was able to give an empowering live performance for "One Love Manchester," which was well-received by all. The message she told the fans was quite moving and inspiring. Two thumbs up for her compelling performance.