Emotional and defiant scenes at Manchester gig on Saturday night

“If you can think you can beat us, you don’t know who we are.”

That is the message from Courteeners frontman Liam Fray to the 50,000 crowd who have packed into Old Trafford cricket ground.

Born and raised in Middleton, the rock band are one of the most Manchester bands around.

Their Bank Holiday concert has been a long-awaited highlight - but the terrible events of Monday have given the event huge significance.

The gig is a cathartic moment for the many fans who have lived through the horrors of this week.

An emotional moment at the gig came when Fray played an acoustic version of Don’t Look Back in Anger, after mourners sang the Oasis classic in St Ann’s Square this week.

The Courteeners were quick to confim their intention to carry on with this week’s gig after Monday’s attrocity - but many gig goers were admittedly concerned.

However, dozens of police - smiling but professional - helped provide reassurance to the crowds.