Lucian Grainge, the chairman and ceo of Universal Music Group, today minced few words in a company-wide memo (full text below) addressing yesterday’s heinous suicide bombing outside of Manchester Arena following an Ariana Grande concert that took the lives of 22 people and injured 59.
“[T]he fact that such an unspeakable act can be committed at a place where innocent people — including so many young people — come together peacefully to enjoy music reflects a level of evil beyond comprehension,” wrote the clearly anguished head of Universal Music, the parent company of Grande’s lable Republic Records.
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Grainge said yesterday’s senseless violence especially hit home “because so many of us, myself included, spend so much time out seeing our artists perform, let alone attending concerts as fans.” He called for today to be “a day of remembrance, a day to pause and reflect, with thoughts for yesterday’s tragedy.”
Memo From Lucian Grainge To UMG Staff:
Dear Colleagues,
Once again, we try to make sense of a senseless act of violence.
Today, our emotions are raw. We are deeply saddened by the awful events last night in Manchester. We extend our thoughts and prayers to all of those affected. And we grieve for all of those lost there, offering our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.
We can report that no UMG employees were injured in the attack, and that Ariana Grande and her crew are safe. That said, the fact that such an unspeakable act can be committed at a place where innocent people – including so many young people – come together peacefully to enjoy music reflects a level of evil beyond comprehension.
This hits home for us as a music company—because so many of us, myself included, spend so much time out seeing our artists perform, let alone attending concerts as fans. That’s why we’ve chosen music as our career—or rather music has chosen us. Your safety and security is absolutely paramount to us. I want you to know that if, for any reason, you ever have any questions or concerns, we want you to reach out so we can resolve it. Our Security team and Human Resources staff stand ready to assist you. Please take advantage of all they have to offer.
Today is a day of remembrance, a day to pause and reflect, with thoughts for yesterday’s tragedy.
Thank you, as always, for everything you do.
Lucian