Manchester Arena reopens: People will talk about it for years

The Manchester Arena reopened on Saturday night with sets from Noel Gallagher and Blossoms.

The charity concert We Are Manchester was the first show there since a bomb attack in May, which left 22 people dead.

The money raised by Saturday's gig will go towards a permanent memorial to the victims.

Speaking to Newsbeat before the gig, Blossoms said they were "honoured to be asked to play".

"Maybe it's because we're from here that we felt it more than say if it happened elsewhere.

"Everyone would have preferred it under different circumstances but the gig needed to happen and they needed to reopen the arena.

"People will talk about it in years to come."

Blossoms on stage at Manchester Arena

The band told Newsbeat it's important to keep going to gigs - despite attacks like the one in May - and have urged fans to do so.

They say they've seen security stepped up at gigs too.

Noel Gallagher played Don't Look Back in Anger

Comedian Peter Kay also spoke to the crowd on stage, saying "we can't let terrorists win".

He worked as a steward at the venue in the 1990s before going on to perform there more than 40 times.

"The victims will never ever be forgotten, but we've got to move forward with love and not hate, and that's how we win," he said.

Newsbeat also spoke to fans who were at the gig.

Hannah and Sophie were at the Ariana gig at Manchester Arena on the night of the attack on 22 May.

"It was horrifying, it was scary.

"It wasn't something that you'd ever witness in your life," Sophie told Newsbeat.

Fans had to go through extra security at the venue following the reopening.

"It made me feel safe but it's scary."

But the girls said they didn't want it to put them off going to gigs.

"I'll remember it forever.

"I want to have a good time and forget about it, even though it's happened and this is what the concert is for."

Caitlan and Daina weren't there the night the attack happened but said they wanted to support their friends and Manchester.

"It's good not to put it in the past and forget about it but we do need to move forward - just listen to music and enjoy it like we used to," Caitlan told Newsbeat.

"I do think Manchester did themselves proud in how handled it all and reacted and came together," Daina added.

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