Massed band tribute to Manchester bombing victims

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manchester massed band
May 2018. The massed band played at Manchester's Piccadily Gardens and played a half hour set before releasing pink balloons, each with the names of the bombing victims.
manchester massed band
May 2018. The massed band played at Manchester’s Piccadily Gardens and played a half hour set before releasing pink balloons, each with the names of the bombing victims.

A massed band performance in memory of Eilidh MacLeod and the other Manchester Arena bombing victims is planned for Manchester, England on Sunday, May 19.

Pipe bands from all over northern England – and from Scotland and Wales – have taken part previously and most have indicated they will take part again.

Manchester Community Pipe Band, formed in 2013, is coordinating the event, which follows similar events held in the northern England city in 2018 and 2017. Colin Murphy, Pipe Major of the band, said over £1,000 has been raised in the previous two years for The Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust. The proceeds from this year’s event will mainly come from donations and T-shirt sales and will be split 50/50 between the Trust and the family of Olivia Campbell-Hardy from Bury, who was 15 when she died in the attack.

Mr Murphy said: “We are extending an open invitation to any pipers and drummers who wish to come along and take part with us.”

Last May, in addition to the massed band event, Manchester held a mass sing-a-long which saw choirs, community groups and schools sing songs that evoked “pride and solidarity”. A choir is expected to participate at the massed band event.

May 22 will mark two years since suicide bomber, Salman Abedi detonated a homemade device in the foyer of the Manchester Arena as 14,000 people left a pop concert.