FireAid Concert Unites Music Legends for LA Wildfire Relief/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ FireAid, a massive benefit concert for LA wildfire relief, brought together music superstars, first responders, and survivors in a night of powerful performances and emotional storytelling. The six-hour event, spanning two venues, featured surprise reunions, heartfelt tributes, and a commitment to raise funds for wildfire victims. Highlights included a Nirvana reunion with St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, and Joan Jett, Lady Gaga debuting a new song, and Green Day teaming up with Billie Eilish. Donations surged as U2 pledged $1 million, matched by Steve Ballmer and the Annenberg Foundation, ensuring every dollar raised doubled in impact.
FireAid’s Biggest Moments: Quick Look
- Nirvana reunited with St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, and Joan Jett in place of Kurt Cobain.
- Lady Gaga debuted a new song, written with fiancé Michael Polansky.
- Green Day opened the show, joined by Billie Eilish for a surprise duet.
- Dr. Dre performed “Still D.R.E.” with Anderson .Paak before launching into “California Love”.
- Stevie Nicks shared her wildfire evacuation story, then performed “Landslide”.
- No Doubt rocked the stage with Gwen Stefani leading “Don’t Speak”.
- Firefighters and survivors shared emotional stories between performances.
- All proceeds go to wildfire victims, managed through FireAid and the Annenberg Foundation.
FireAid Concert Unites Music Legends for LA Wildfire Relief
FireAid Concert: A Deep Look
Music Meets Resilience: A Star-Studded Night
Held at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome, FireAid brought together the biggest names in music to support Los Angeles wildfire survivors. The concert mixed spectacular performances with firsthand accounts of loss and recovery, creating an emotional, uplifting experience.
- Nirvana’s surviving members reunited, with St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, and Joan Jett each taking turns as lead vocalist.
- Lady Gaga closed the night, performing “Shallow” and “Always Remember Us This Way”, then debuting a new, intimate ballad.
- Green Day kicked off the show with “Last Night on Earth” before bringing Billie Eilish on stage for an emotional duet.
- Billy Crystal hosted, joking that the goal was to “raise more money than the Dodgers spent on free agents”.
California Takes Center Stage
The night featured performances celebrating California’s deep musical legacy:
- Red Hot Chili Peppers performed “Californication” and “Under the Bridge,” with Flea doing a handstand in just a Speedo.
- Dr. Dre, Anderson .Paak, and Sheila E. delivered a high-energy “Still D.R.E.” before performing Tupac’s “California Love”.
- Katy Perry waved the California state flag, leading the audience through “Rise,” “Roar,” and “California Gurls”.
- Billie Eilish and Finneas stripped it down, delivering acoustic versions of “Wildflower,” “The Greatest,” and “Birds of a Feather”.
Heartfelt Moments: Wildfire Survivors Take the Stage
Between performances, firefighters and survivors shared their stories, bringing a human face to the tragedy.
- Billy Crystal, who lost his home in the Pacific Palisades, performed in the same clothes he wore when evacuating.
- The Williams family from Altadena, California, recounted losing four homes, introducing folk rock band Dawes, who also lost their studio and instruments in the Eaton fire.
- Stevie Nicks detailed her evacuation story, explaining how her 1938 wooden home miraculously survived.
Donations and Matching Funds Amplify Impact
Throughout the night, viewers were encouraged to donate via FireAidLA.org.
- U2 made the first major donation: $1 million.
- Steve Ballmer and the Annenberg Foundation pledged to match all donations, effectively doubling the total raised.
- All proceeds go through a 501(c)(3) fund, ensuring direct distribution to wildfire victims and first responders.
A Night to Remember
Concertgoer Scott Jones, a 54-year-old LA resident, summed up the night:
“I hope people remember this concert forever. The firefighters needed this. The city needed this.”
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