Britney Spears comforts fans during first Las Vegas concert after shooting

Britney Spears offered fans a hopeful message on Wednesday (11Oct17) as she returned to the Las Vegas stage for the first time since the city's deadly concert shooting.

The pop superstar and her backup dancers sported hats with the words #VegasStrong during the opening number of her Britney: Piece of Me residency show, during which the Toxic hitmaker took a moment to address the 1 October (17) tragedy at the Route 91 Harvest festival.

"Before I start the show, I just want to say we're here for you, you're here for us and we're going to get through this together," Spears told the crowd, according to video footage shared on Instagram.

The 35-year-old also took the time to acknowledge "special people in the audience", which included some of the first responders who had leaped into action during the massacre, and encouraged fans to applaud them.

The performance, which took place at the The Axis at Planet Hollywood, was Britney's first residency gig following a month-long break from the venue.

In the immediate aftermath of the festival shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 58 concertgoers, Spears took to Twitter to express her grief.

"Completely heartbroken over the news this morning," she posted on 2 October (17). "Keeping the victims of last night's tragedy in Las Vegas in my prayers."