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'Don't look back in anger': Manchester students' heartfelt song of hope

Manchester music students have gathered in a show of compassion and defiance for a poignant rendition of a song by the city's famous rock band Oasis, following Britain's bloodiest terror attack in years.

Emotional footage of the performance was shared on social media by a teacher at Chetham's School of Music teacher, showing pupils sending a message of hope to the city with a moving rendition of the band's classic 1996 hit 'Don't Look Back in Anger'.

Manchester music students send a message of hope to the city with a moving rendition of an Oasis 90s classic Don't Look Back in Anger. Picture: Ana María Martínez Navarrete/Facebook
Manchester music students send a message of hope to the city with a moving rendition of an Oasis 90s classic Don't Look Back in Anger. Picture: Ana María Martínez Navarrete/Facebook

United, some with arms wrapped around each other, students gathered in the school's courtyard as they sung, led by a small orchestra.


Their words were sung in defiance of the explosion that claimed at least 22 lives at a concert by US singer Ariana Grande at the Manchester Arena.

United, some with arms wrapped around each other, students gathered in the school's courtyard as they sung, led by a small orchestra. Picture: Chetham's School of Music
United, some with arms wrapped around each other, students gathered in the school's courtyard as they sung, led by a small orchestra. Picture: Chetham's School of Music

A school spokesman told the Manchester Evening News the students arranged the performance among themselves when their usual afternoon concert was cancelled due to the police cordon.

“It was a group decision, we wanted to come together as a school and show our support and optimism. Although the disaster has shaken our community, it has brought us together and made us stronger,” the school said.

'Our hearts go out to all affected by last night’s events,' the caption accompanying one of the videos read. Picture: Ana María Martínez Navarrete/Facebook
'Our hearts go out to all affected by last night’s events,' the caption accompanying one of the videos read. Picture: Ana María Martínez Navarrete/Facebook

One of the videos of the performance was shared to Chetham’s School of Music's Facebook page with the message: “Don’t look back in anger. A message of hope and support from our students still inside the cordon. Our hearts go out to all affected by last night’s events.”

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, whose swaggering bravado personified Manchester during the band's 1990s heyday, has told local media he was "absolutely devastated" about the attack on the city, sending "Love and Light to all the families involved".