The One Love Manchester Benefit Concert, BBC One, Sunday at 6.55pm
A sense of optimism and hope prevailed as Ariane Grande returned to the stage of the city visited by terror just two weeks before.
It was on May 22 as the pint-sized singer had just finished her Manchester Arena gig that a suicide bomber unleashed horror on those gathered at the venue, detonating a nail bomb that killed 22 people and injured 116 others.
Grande had vowed to come back, telling the world, "we won't let hate win" and she was true to her word.
Just a few miles from where the pain and suffering was inflicted, a ray of light came through the music.
In front of around 55,000 people - including thousands of those present on that tragic night - the US singer led a star-studded sold-out benefit concert, One Love Manchester, featuring uplifting and at times emotional performances.
Organised in less than a week, it drew the biggest names in pop in the world from Coldplay to Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell Williams and Katy Perry - with star after star taking to the stage to honour all those affected.
Coming less than 24 hours after the tragic events at London Bridge, Grande's fans were determined to make it to the benefit concert. And there was a resilience among them that was clear to see.
The venue of Old Trafford cricket ground was awash with pink, painted faces and an abundance of animal ears - they had all come to support the singer, to remember those affected and to celebrate the spirit of the city of Manchester.
One by one, the stars performed with the vigour that the crowd expected and with a song that seemed to fit the occasion.
The Black Eyed Peas belted out their anti-war anthem 'Where Is The Love' with Grande taking on the lyrics usually sung by front-woman Fergie, while Take That appeared defiant through their rendition of 'Rule The World'.
Then there was Robbie Williams, who changed the lyrics of his classic hit 'Strong', telling fans "Manchester we're strong, we're strong, we're strong" before encouraging the crowd to join in when he sang his signature hit 'Angels'.
Another Manchester favourite, Liam Gallagher - complete with trademark duffle coat - performed the Oasis hit Rock'n'Roll Star, but minus his brother Noel, before duetting with Coldplay’s Chris Martin on another aptly chosen track, 'Live Forever'.
It was the hit Oasis track, 'Don't Look Back in Anger' that proved to be a total crowd favourite though, which in recent days appeared to have become an alternative anthem for the city.
One stand out performance of the night came from the Paris Wood High School, who were joined for one touching and heartfelt song by Grande herself.
As they sang their hearts out in tribute to the victims of the Manchester bombing it became too much for one young girl, who was comforted by the popstar in what was one of the most emotional and heart-wrenching scenes of the night.
Taking to the stage for 10 songs in total, Grande performed her own hits, duets and covers including, Crowded House's 'Don't Dream It's Over', telling the audience, "we know they won't win".
Clearly deeply affected by what had happened at her concert, in an emotional tribute, she said: "I love you guys so much, and I think that all the love and unity you're displaying is the medicine the world needs right now".
She could have been forgiven for hiding herself away after the terrorist attack, but she returned.
And as she closed the concert with a beautiful rendition of the Judy Garland classic, 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow', yes, there were tears, but there smiles too which can only be seen as a beacon of hope that terror will not prevail in Manchester.
