Manchester Pride 2019: Ariana Grande ‘thrilled’ to be announced as festival headliner

Pop star will return to the city in August this year

Ariana Grande has been announced as the headliner for Manchester Pride this year.

It will mark the pop star’s first show in the city since she performed at her One Love Manchester charity concert, which took place after the suicide attack at her show at Manchester Arena.

Grande will perform at Mayfield, a new 9,000 capacity venue at an old railway depot, on Sunday 25 August.

She previously said she would play “a special show” in Manchester has part of her forthcoming world tour, but has only now confirmed details of the gig.

Grande tweeted: “manchester babes, i’m so thrilled to be headlining pride. my heart. i cant wait to see u and i love u so so much.”

It will likely be an emotional show both for Grande and her fans. In 2017, less than two weeks after the bombing that killed 22 people and injured hundreds more, she returned to stage a star-studded benefit concert at Old Trafford, to raise money for the victims and their families.

Manchester Pride organiser Mark Fletcher said: “We’re truly honoured to be welcoming Ariana back to the city to help us celebrate LGBT+ life.”

Also announced to perform at the event are Years & Years, Bananarama, Pixie Lott, Lady Leshurr, Liberty X and Saara Aalto.

Manchester takes place between 23 and 26 August. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.