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Venues to go silent to remember victims of Manchester attack

Gigs across UK and Europe to show mark of respect on Friday - and live music organsiations react to bombing

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24/05/2017: Venues across the UK and Europe are being invited to hold a minute's silence – and a minute's noise – in the wake of the attack at the Manchester Arena which left more than 20 people dead.

The Music Venue Trust is among the organisations which are supporting #oneminuteformanchester and inviting anyone staging a show on Friday evening to take part.

Venues will go silent at 9.59pm on Friday (May 26) for one minute to remember victims of the suicide bomb attack following an Ariana Grande concert, packed with children and teenagers. It will be followed by a further minute of noise to show “we will not be silenced”, according to organisers.

In addition, the following organisations, all members of the UK Live Music Group, have issued statements in the wake of the attack:

The Association of Independent Festivals: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with all those affected by the horrific incident following the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. In the aftermath of this dreadful attack, audiences attending festivals this season may understandably have some concerns.

“We must emphasise the excellent security record of festivals in the UK. AIF members are experts in organising safe and secure events for between 800 and 60,000 people and a highly effective private security industry has developed around our events. In addition, organisers have a constant dialogue with law enforcement and other relevant agencies at a local, regional and national levels and there is increasingly more intelligence sharing between these agencies and organisers through initiatives such as Operation Gothic and the Project Argus training events. Security measures at festivals are reviewed constantly and the top priority of festival and concert promoters is always the safety and security of audiences. If additional measures need to be introduced at festivals, we are confident that they will be.”

Phil Bowdery, Chair of the Concert Promoters Association, said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the senseless attack at the Ariana Grande Concert. This is heartbreaking news and our thoughts and love are with everyone in Manchester at this time – in particular those that lost their lives or were affected by this devastating incident and their families and friends.

“All members of the Concert Promoters Association will continue to work with venues, Police, stewarding companies and the relevant authorities and it is our understanding that outside of the Manchester Arena and the Ariana Grande tour, all other planned concerts and events will go ahead, as advertised, unless ticketholders are directly advised to the contrary. Fans should check with venues direct for specific updates.

“In light of this attack on our concert going community, we ask for the support and understanding of our patrons with regard to any security measures which are in place for the safety of the public, and urge everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour. Our deepest sympathies and condolences are with all those affected by this horrific incident.”

The National Arenas Association (NAA) said: “All UK and Irish Arenas work collaboratively and tirelessly through the NAA’s safety advisory and events managers’ groups to improve the health, safety and well-being of our staff and customers, which is our utmost priority. This is achieved through the sharing of best practice and advice from security advisers, the police (including counter-terrorism officers), event promoters and organisers and from one another.

“The NAA also provides specific training delivered by leading security and event consultants to ensure that arena staff are vigilant, knowledgeable and qualified to take appropriate action both before incidents arise, and if necessary, afterwards. Through these actions, all NAA Arenas will continue to work towards providing the safest possible environment for over seven million concert-goers every year to enjoy the collective experience of seeing their favourite artists in the company of their families and friends.

“Our thoughts are also with our colleagues at Manchester Arena and the emergency services staff who worked so professionally and bravely in such traumatic circumstances.”

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