In the past two years, people came together to take a silent walk to Kensington Memorial Park to mourn those who were lost. This year, the Grenfell United event had to be held virtually, due to the coronavirus lockdown. Musicians like Adele and former One Direction singer Liam Payne participated in the event, as well as rapper Stormzy. The latter urged the viewers to not forget about the tragedy.

“I said I was just gonna put the camera on and just talk from my heart instead of trying to prepare anything, I didn’t want this to sound like it came from anywhere other than my heart”, he said.

“To all the people of Grenfell, we’re still mourning with you, so to anyone watching this let’s use this time, let’s use today to stand in solidarity with them and say that we ain’t forgotten you. We love you, we’re here for you.”

Our evening events to mark the #Grenfell anniversary start at 6pm on https://t.co/NzopP2a2d9 pic.twitter.com/6DzGV2QSYO

— Grenfell United (@GrenfellUnited) June 14, 2020

“Skyfall” hitmaker Adele sent all her love to everyone remembering. “”Even though it’s so important for us to remember that night, it’s also important for us to reflect on where we are now and celebrate the lives that were lived before they were sadly taken that night”, she said.

Given the current situation of the world witnessing a global pandemic, the singer thinks that it’s even more important now to stand together and unite. “I think that this year, more than ever, there has never been a more appropriate time for us to truly exercise camaraderie, compassion, open-mindedness and persistence. Persistence for answers. Persistence for action.”

“It’s a fact that human beings are not supposed to be left on our own, we need each other to survive. I truly see in action of the community”, Adele said.

We have laid a wreath to honour the 72 lives lost in the Grenfell Tower fire.

It was a tragedy that never should have happened.

We stand in solidarity with the community in their search for justice. pic.twitter.com/V8MzJpC5lw

— Fire Brigades Union (@fbunational) June 14, 2020

People at home confronting lockdown were lighting their rooms green to pay tribute to the victims of the Grenfell Tower and to show support to their families.

During the gig in the Isle of Wight, the Hammersmith born singer paused at one point to ask the audience for a moment of silence in tribute to the 72 people that lost their lives in the tragedy, with even more left without a home in the wake of the fire.

However, a small number of the attendance in the crowd began to shout toward the stage, interrupting the silent vigil, prompting Allen to call them out after the tribute had ended.

Following the silence, Allen said, “anyone who spoke during that is a c***”, before going on to play ‘The Fear’, and dedicating the hit song to the audience members responsible. At another point during her set, Lily performed ‘F You’, aiming the track at politicians such as Theresa May and Boris Johnson.

Footage from the festival was uploaded by fans onto Twitter, with many taking to social media to express their support for Lily’s vigil.

Other acts performed on Friday night at the Isle of Wight gig, including Noel Gallagher, with acts such as Bastille and Jess Glynne set for the weekend ahead.

Lily Allen held a two minute silence at #IoW2019 for the victims of Grenfell. Observed by most. As Lily put it: “If you didn’t observe that silence then you are a cunt.” I’ve always loved @lilyallen pic.twitter.com/v7GG7L0P79

— Mary Williams (@marymaryw) June 14, 2019

In the city, thousands of people, ranging from supporters to mourners, took part in a silent walk in memory of those lost in the tragedy, adorning green scarves and Justice for Grenfell placards. Among those attending were British rapper Stormzy and Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, showing their support to the cause.

In 2018, survivors and artists including Adele and Stormzy, joined with Grenfell United to make a plea for a national change in the aftermath of the West London Blaze. They ask the government for changes to be made in the wake of the tragedy.

Stormzy says in the video, “This isn’t a charity film, this is a clarity film”, including testimonies from the survivors of that night. “We stood and watched our homes burn”, says one woman, to a young girl’s admission of, “I was in a coma for two weeks”.