Two major benefit concerts, collectively known as the FireAid concert, took place at the Kia Forum and the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Los Angeles County, to raise funds for wildfire relief efforts. The devastating wildfires that erupted earlier this month claimed 29 lives and caused billions of dollars in damages, destroying more than 16,000 homes and businesses.
A Night of Music, Unity, and Support
The FireAid concert brought together some of the biggest names in music, uniting them with first responders and affected communities in a powerful show of resilience and solidarity.
Green Day set the stage at the FireAid concert with their heartfelt ballad “Last Night on Earth,” featuring a surprise duet with Billie Eilish. They followed up with their powerful anthem “Still Breathing” from their 2016 album Revolution Radio and their timeless 1994 hit “When I Come Around” from Dookie.
Actor Billy Crystal, who lost his Pacific Palisades home of 46 years in the fires, shared his heartache with the audience. Reflecting on his loss, he expressed gratitude for the nationwide support, saying, “It will be okay. With your help, we’ll laugh again, listen to music again, and we will rebuild.”
At the Intuit Dome, Samuel L. Jackson energized the crowd at the FireAid concert, emphasizing the importance of supporting firefighters. “We love our firefighters, and we need to help them right now,” he said before introducing Sir Rod Stewart, who opened his set with the heartfelt hit “Forever Young.”
FireAid Concert’s Star-Studded Performances for Wildfire Relief
Pink delivered a soulful acoustic set, covering Janis Joplin’s 1971 classic “Me and Bobby McGee” and Led Zeppelin’s “Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You,” before performing her own hit “What About Us.”
Slash made a surprise appearance, joining The Black Crowes for a riveting cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California.” No Doubt, representing their Orange County roots, also took the stage, along with hip-hop legend Dr. Dre, who performed his iconic track “California Love,” originally recorded with the late 2Pac.
“This is a magical moment for me. I’ve got so much love for you guys,” Dr. Dre told the crowd. “I appreciate all the first responders and the firefighters who put their lives on the line. It’s all about love for me today.”
Billie Eilish rejoined Green Day for another rendition of “Last Night on Earth,” with frontman Billie Joe Armstrong delivering an emotional message: “We’re still alive; this is California, and we’re all in this together. From the bottom of our hearts, we love you, Los Angeles. We got your back no matter what.”
Later, Eilish was joined by her brother Finneas for a stripped-down performance of her own hits, including “Wildflower” and “Birds of a Feather.”
FireAid Concert Honors First Responders and Wildfire Victims
Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks dedicated her emotional performance of “Landslide” to the firefighters who saved her home—and likely her entire neighborhood.
“I was a full-on Pacific Palisadean woman with an old, beautiful, famous house that was almost taken from me as the fire came up the hill behind it,” Nicks recalled. “As they whisked me away to safety, I was sure my house would be gone. But she stands strong—just like me. And in my opinion, she saved that whole street.”
The night concluded with a breathtaking performance from Lady Gaga, who captivated the audience with her Academy Award-winning song “Shallow” from A Star Is Born.
Support and Donations Pour In
Among the high-profile attendees was former Vice President Kamala Harris, spotted in the crowd at the Intuit Dome. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, shared a heartfelt Instagram post, saying: “Kamala and I are grateful to be at the FireAid concert tonight in our hometown of Los Angeles. It is a wonderful night that shows the strength and resilience of our city as we begin to recover and rebuild from the devastating wildfires.”
Audience members were encouraged to donate throughout the night, with Billy Crystal announcing a generous $1 million contribution from U2.
Proceeds from the FireAid concert will go toward rebuilding communities and implementing measures to prevent future wildfires in the region.
FireAid Concert Unites the Community
The wildfires that struck Los Angeles County in early January left behind immense devastation, but the FireAid concert proved that music and community spirit can help in the healing process. With contributions from artists, celebrities, and supporters nationwide, the event not only raised crucial funds but also served as a testament to California’s resilience and strength.
