Almost a year ago today, 90 people were murdered in the Bataclan Concert Hall, but on Saturday November 12th, the owners re-opened it up to the public again. Crowds returned for the first time since last November’s terror attacks, filling the venue for a concert by the British rocker, Sting who first played decades ago during the early days of The Police. A moment of silence was held for the victims and the Sting began with, “We have two tasks, to honor victims who lost their lives and to honor music and life.”

This is the first gig at the Bataclan since the band Eagles of Death Metal performed and were targeted by suicide vest-wearing gunmen. There was very tight security, a section around the venue cordoned off, and lots of media coverage and attention. Victims and family members of the victims were invited as special guests to watch the performance in a VIP section.

Once tickets went on sale, they were sold out in only 30 minutes, 1,500 people were expected to attend and the proceeds from the show went to two associations representing survivors and family members of those who died. One person that attended, Didlier Delalande said, “It will be emotional but we are here in a show of strength in her memory.” He came to remember his friend’s sister who was killed in the attack. Georges Salines, the head of the victim’s association, lost his daughter in the attack and says, “It’s important this venue reopens to show that we are standing up to the terrorists who tried to destabilize our lives.”