Noel Gallagher to headline event which will reopen Manchester Arena

Former Oasis star will be joined by artists including Blossoms and The Courteeners

Manchester Arena will reopen for the first time since the attack on 22 May (Getty Images)

Noel Gallagher will headline a special benefit concert to reopen Manchester Arena next month, it has been announced.

The venue has been closed since the bomb attack at an Ariana Grande concert in May, which left 22 people dead and many others injured.

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will headline a number of north-west acts at the event called 'We Are Manchester', which will re-open the venue on 9 September.

Also performing are The Courteeners, Blossoms, Rick Astley, and poet Tony Walsh, who performed his poem "This Is The Place" at a vigil the day after the attack.

More acts will be announced in the coming weeks. All profits from the event will go towards establishing a permanent memorial to the victims.

Gallagher's performance will carry particular significance because of how the Oasis track "Don't Look Back In Anger" became an anthem of solidarity in the wake of the bombing, when crowds spontaneously began singing it at a memorial.

His younger brother Liam performed at Ariana Grande's benefit concert One Love Manchester two weeks after the attack, alongside acts including Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Usher and Grande herself.

Councillor Sue Murphy said: "No one will ever forget the terrible events of 22 May but Manchester has reacted with love, solidarity and a determination to continue doing the things which make this such a vibrant city.

"We welcome the reopening of the arena, a major venue which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, as a powerful symbol of this defiant and resilient spirit."

Manchester Arena's general manager James Allen added: "May's events will never be forgotten, but they will not stop us - or Mancunian music fans - from coming together to enjoy live music.

"Manchester Arena has celebrated over 20 years hosting some of the greatest musical talent of all time, and the significant economic and cultural impact that this has on the city means that this legacy must continue.

"Public safety is always our priority and we are doing all we can to keep people safe at our venue."

There will be extra security and ID checks at the We Are Manchester event, and fans have been asked not to bring bags bigger than 35cm x 40 cm x 19cm.

Tickets for the show, which will cost £25 and £30, go on sale at 9am on Thursday 17 August.

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