It’s been over four years since the attack on fans of Ariana Grande just after her show at the Manchester Arena, in May of 2017. The bombing wounded hundreds of people and killed 22, ten of whom were under 20 years of age. 

Obviously there were many complex factors at play, but to me this attack was also a very extreme version of the misogyny that underlies every instance when fangirls are dismissed or shamed for enjoying themselves and loving what they love. The bomber chose to attack a pop concert by an artist whose audience consists, for the largest part, of young girls. It’s like he was saying: “I will not allow these girls to be liberated, enjoy music, dance and wear pretty clothes. They should be punished for expressing themselves and having fun.”

For so many of us, concerts are our happy place, a safe space that we’ve created for each other. The realisation that someone would want to destroy that with such violence, is heart-breaking and frankly, infuriating. I am thankful that I can’t even begin to comprehend the hate, spite and fear that must exist in such a person’s heart. 

Every time I see footage of the One Love Manchester fundraiser held two weeks later, I get goosebumps and tears in my eyes. The event was such an expression of resilience. All the people there were refusing to let fear take over, showing that nothing would stop them from going to concerts, and nothing could take away their joy in music. 

It’s worth remembering that our rights as females have been hard-earned, and that there are still people in the world who want to take them away. But there are more of us.