Two years after a suicide bomber targeted an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, killing 22 people, the singer returned to the city for a 2019 Pride event.

“I’m so happy to be with you, so thank you for having me,” she told the crowd. “Sorry, I’m so nervous. I had so much more to say, but I’m really very overwhelmed. So thank you.”

It was undoubtedly an emotional experience for the singer, who has previously been open about the PTSD she continuous to experience as a result of the bombing back in 2017.

“I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well,” she told British Vogue last year. “I feel like I shouldn’t even be talking about my own experience — like I shouldn’t even say anything.”

And some of those fans who were present for the 2017 concert were able to return for Ariana’s headlining at Pride — though it wasn’t easy for them, either.

“One of the things I wanted to do was go to this concert and see how I got on and try and manage my anxiety-related symptoms,” admitted one concertgoer. “Which I did, so I’m really proud.”

Ari’s half hour set included her recent singles “7 Rings” and “thank u, next,” along with a song she had previously re-released to raise money for victims of the bombing, “One Last Time.”

But despite the obvious connection to her past appearance in Manchester, Grande had plenty of words just for the LGBTQ fans in attendance this time around as well.

“The gays have always had my heart, personally,” she shared with everyone who came out to see her. “I spent some of the happiest times of my teenage years singing in gay bars in New York City.”

While Manchester hasn’t been on Ariana’s list of tour stops lately beyond Pride, she had previously hinted there might be something “a little more special” in store in the future.

After all, she said last night, “Manchester holds a very special place in my heart.”