NEVER have national events and the world of music collided so prominently since the devastating events in Manchester two short weeks ago.

The feeling and emotion is still raw with many of us, especially when deciding to attend concerts we have been looking forward to for months.

For artists such as US singer/songwriter Anastacia who played Cardiff’s St David’s Hall on Sunday evening, the message is clear that we need to continue being united in celebrating life through the power of music.

Anastacia’s concert began with strong support from singer/songwriter Chloe Reynolds, who accompanying herself on keyboards, performed some 30 minutes of strong upbeat and inspiring material. This included her UK Christian chart No.1, Broken Beautiful, You are Loved and Still Here, a song dedicated to the victims of the recent Manchester and London attacks, of which Chloe stated “Love carries on and hate will never win.” 

After an interval, Anastacia and her band with backing vocalists and dancers took to the stage to deliver a powerhouse set of greatest hits and album tracks. The audience responded to Anastacia’s positive energy by rising to their feet and embracing performances of Sick and Tired, Cowboys and Kisses and Time.

The evenings most powerful moment was Anastacia’s performance of You Are Not Alone as she left the stage and walked among the audience.

She also delivered an inspirational message while acknowledging the simultaneous One Love charity concert taking place in Manchester, “When you’re singing songs and you have music in your heart, it just brings you to a better place,” she said, “this is where you should celebrate and this is the kind of place that deserves a celebration.”

A moving and mesmerising evening, Anastacia’s concert will be remembered for many years to come for its strength and inspiration.