Bataclan TURNS AWAY Eagles of Death Metal - who were playing when ISIS massacred 90 music fans - as the concert hall reopens a year after the attack 

  • Sting has reopened the Bataclan concert hall tonight, a year since it was turned into a bloodbath
  • Two members of Eagles of Death Metal were not allowed in over controversial comments 
  • Former Police frontman Sting, 65, took to the stage as mourners marked one year since attacks 
  • 130 people were left dead and hundreds more injured in the worst terrorist atrocity to hit France 

The Bataclan concert hall turned away two members of Eagles Of Death Metal who were playing during the ISIS attack at the Paris venue last year.

They tried to enter the venue for Sting's gig as the hall reopened to mark the anniversary of the massacre which killed 90 innocent music fans. 

But director Jules Frutos refused to let them in after frontman Jesse Hughes earlier this year suggested that Muslim staff were involved in the gun and suicide bomb attack on November 13, 2015.

'They came, I threw them out - there are things you can't forgive,' Mr Frutos said. 

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Sting took the stage of the Bataclan concert hall on the anniversary of the tragic ISIS attack that killed 90 at venue

Concert goers awaited Sting's arrival as mourners outside the venue lit candles and placed flowers in tribute to those slaughtered by three ISIS gunmen last year

The former Police frontman, 65, soothed a sell-out crowd with his classic hits as well as a few of his new numbers

Paris' Bataclan concert hall turned away two members of Eagles of Death Metal (pictured at L'Olympia in February) who were playing during the ISIS attack at the venue last year

Former Police frontman Sting, 65, soothed a sell-out crowd with his classic hits as mourners outside lit candles and placed flowers in tribute to those slaughtered by three ISIS gunmen last year.

In the coordinated attacks across Paris, 130 people were left dead and hundreds more injured in the worst terrorist atrocity to hit France.

Sting, who today landed in Paris from New York where he celebrated the release of his latest album 57th & 9th, said he agreed to the gig 'to remember and honour those who lost their lives'. 

Sting today landed in Paris from New York where he celebrated the release of his latest album 57th & 9th

The rocker, 65, performed for the crowd on both his classical guitar and bass guitar at the Bataclan concert hall

Sting put on quite a show on Saturday - his song Message in a Bottle had the crown with their arms in their air

Horrific: The Bataclan was one of several targets in a wave of bloody attacks across the French capital by Islamic State gunmen and suicide bombers on the night of November 13, 2015

When he stepped on stage to loud cheers, he delivered his poignant message, speaking French to the packed crowd:  'We've got two important things to do tonight ... First, to remember and honour those who lost their lives in the attacks a year ago, and to celebrate the life and the music of this historic venue.

'So before we begin, I would like to ask that we observe one minute of silence ... We shall not forget them.' 

His appearance is a major boost for the venue which had been struggling to attract big names back to perform there since the atrocities during an Eagles of Death Metal gig. 

Islamic extremist suicide bombers - Frenchmen Omar Ismail Mostefai, 29, Samy Amimour, 28, and Foued Mohamed-Aggad, 23 - stormed into the concert hall as US rock band Eagles Of Death Metal performed, while jihadists also targeted cafes and the Stade de France. 

In a show of defiance Jerome Langlet, of the venue's owners Lagardere Live Entertainment, said: 'The whole world is going to see the Bataclan live again.' 

Since the attacks, the hall's devastated interior has been completely replaced, from the seats to the floorboards, with identical fittings.

Sting said he agreed to the gig 'to remember and honour those who lost their lives in the attack a year ago'

Fans were clapping their hands and singing along to Sting's classic hits

The Bataclan was rocking as the audience jumped up and down 

Time out: Sting said a few words to the audience during a break between songs

'We wanted to change everything so nothing would remain of that terrible night,' said Langlet, adding that 'several million euros' has been spent on refurbishing the building in identical style without losing the venue's intimate atmosphere. 'We decide to change everything so nothing would change'. 

While reopening the doors will mean reliving painful memories for many, Jules Frutos, who has co-run the venue for the last 12 years, said: 'We had to go on after such horror and not leave a mausoleum, a tomb.'

Frutos said he rang Sting himself to ask him to play after the British singer said he was keen to help, having played at the Bataclan with The Police in 1979.

Sting said: 'We hope to respect the memory as well as the life-affirming spirit of those who fell. We shall not forget them'

Left: 'Bataclan. You have stolen the carefreeness, the joy of living, you Christophe, never like before, tomorrow re-live rock, tomorrow live peace. Mummy.' Right: 'Bataclan. An affectionate thought for you my son, your father who loves you'

Policemen searched music fans outside the Bataclan concert hall as they entered Sting's gig

Rocking out: Sting stunned fans with an energetic performance on stage at the Bataclan

Taking it slow: Sting closed his eyes to enjoy a more poignant moment during his gig

'His coming here is what we needed,' said Frutos, admitting the weight of the occasion had been too much for many of France's top performers.  

The Bataclan said all 1,000 Sting concert tickets sold out in 'less than 30 minutes' and survivors and their families had also been invited to the Saturday night concert.

Sting said: 'In re-opening the Bataclan, we have two important tasks to reconcile. First, to remember and honour those who lost their lives in the attack a year ago, and second, to celebrate the life and the music that this historic theatre represents.

'In doing so we hope to respect the memory as well as the life-affirming spirit of those who fell. We shall not forget them.'

The police presence was heavy outside the concert hall as concert goers waited to enter

Police trucks closed of the road to the concert hall as security was on high alert for the gig

Music fans arrive at the Bataclan concert hall ahead of Sting's performance at the venue on the anniversary of the tragic terror attack at the venue

The police presence was high outside the Bataclan as they searched people on their way into the concert

Laura Sanchez, 41, who travelled to Sting's show from Cadiz in Spain, was one of the first people to take up a position in front of the stage.

She said: 'I come from Madrid and we also have a problem with terrorism. I think life must go on and continue. They want to stop us and no one has the right to stop us.'

Sarah Marrer, 18, from Lille, said it is important to 'show that we're not afraid', adding: 'I think it's important that every French person and everyone can come here and enjoy and show that it's not over.' 

All revenue from the show will be donated to Life For Paris and 13 Novembre: Fraternite Verite.

The Bataclan will play host to two gigs by Libertines frontman Pete Doherty, on November 16 and 17, while Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour will peform on November 18 and 19. 

A riot police officer stands guard near the Bataclan concert hall in Paris

The queues built up before the show as Sting fans lined up outside the venue awaiting a special night 

Concert goers showed their tickets and were then inspected by police as they entered the venue

American rock group Eagles of Death Metal performing on stage on November 13, 2015 at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris

Earlier in the day, Sting looked suave as he walked through arrivals at the Charles de Gaulle Airport close beside Trudie Styler ahead of the concert. 

Appearing younger than his years, the iconic musician covered up in a navy overcoat with black and yellow buttons.

He rocked eye-catching slip-ons with a swirling bronze pattern and carried a blue and yellow bag over his shoulder.

Trudie, 62, kept warm with two thick scarves, each a different shade of green, and a black jacket.

She slipped into a pair of quirky green leather trousers and completed the ensemble with some black boots.

Paying tribute: Sting touched down in Paris with wife Trudie Styler ahead of his concert at the Bataclan concert hall on the anniversary of last year's tragic terror attack 

Age-defying: Appearing younger than his years, the iconic musician covered up in a navy overcoat with black and yellow buttons

Guarded: A group of police were standing outside the venue before the gig 

Arrival: the couple seen in Paris several hours before the start of the show 

 

Mourners lay flowers and candles outside the Bataclan on the anniversary of the ISIS attack that killed 90

Mourners laid flowers and candles opposite the Bataclan concert hall on the anniversary of the ISIS terror attack that killed 90. 

The Bataclan was one of several targets in a wave of bloody attacks across the French capital by Islamic State gunmen and suicide bombers on the night of November 13, 2015. 

Natalie Hugon, 45, who works in Cannes, was among mourners laying flowers at a growing shrine ahead of a Sting concert at the venue.

Tribute: Flowers and candles were placed opposite the concert hall in Paris 

Paying respects: Crowds gathered to read messages on the anniversary of the tragedy 

A woman kneels around flowers and candles laid next to the Bataclan

She said her 22-year-old son ran for his life when crowds celebrating Bastille Day were attacked in Nice in July, hiding for two hours in a bar to protect himself.

'It was the most awful night of my life. I want peace in the world.' 

Leslie Podevin, 31, from Nantes, is in Paris for the weekend with her friend and friend's mother who walked away in tears.

The trio laid flowers and Ms Podevin said: 'We came here because we think it's important.

'We want to remember this day. When we saw the date we thought we have to come here and do something.'

A woman called Martine, who said she knew someone who escaped from Le Petit Cambodge, laid a single rose opposite the Bataclan.  

French Civil Protection stand at the entrance of the Bataclan

People gather around flowers and candles laid next to the Bataclan

The concert hall will remain closed on Sunday's actual anniversary of the attacks, when authorities plan to unveil a plaque outside to commemorate the victims.

'For the victims, it's their day of mourning, their day to come together,' said Caroline Langlade, president of the Life for Paris association. 

In addition to those who died, nine people remain hospitalized from the attacks and others are paralyzed or otherwise irreparably injured. 

The government says more than 600 people are still receiving psychological treatment relating to the horrifying attacks. 

France remains under tight security after the string of attacks that rocked the country last year

In the coordinated attacks, 130 people were left dead and hundreds more injured in the worst terrorist atrocity to hit France

Six cafes were targeted by a three-man commando unit- Le Carillon, Le Petit Cambodge, Cafe Bonne Biere, Casa Nostra, La Belle Equipe and the Comptoir Voltaire (pictured)

Scores of survivors of the Bataclan assault - the worst of the gun and suicide attacks across the city which left 130 dead - will attend the concert

Several million euros has been spent refurbishing the building in identical style without losing the venue's atmosphere

The Bataclan said all 1,000 Sting concert tickets for the reopening gig sold out in 'less than 30 minutes'

 

 

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