Photo credit: www.cbc.ca
Pop entertainers, first responders, and individuals affected by the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area united for a poignant evening at FireAid, a benefit concert held at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome. This event blended captivating performances with heartfelt narratives from wildfire survivors, casting a spotlight on both the artistic spirit of the community and the devastating toll of the fires.
One of the night’s standout highlights was a special reunion of Nirvana, featuring St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, and Joan Jett stepping in for the late Kurt Cobain. The trio energized the crowd with unexpected renditions of Breed, School, and Territorial Pissings.
Following this, Violet Grohl, daughter of drummer Dave Grohl, took to the stage for a moving rendition of All Apologies.
The concert opened with Green Day, who performed Last Night on Earth and were soon joined by Billie Eilish, surprising the audience with a poignant interpretation of the lyrics: “If I lose everything in the fire / I’m sending all my love to you.”
After their performance, Billie Joe Armstrong, the frontman of Green Day, shared a warm embrace with actor Billy Crystal, who welcomed attendees to the event. Armstrong humorously remarked on their fundraising goals, joking about outpacing the Dodgers’ spending on free agents, and acknowledged that U2 had made a generous opening donation of $1 million.
Homes Lost
During the event, Crystal disclosed that he had evacuated in the clothes he was wearing and noted the loss of his home in Pacific Palisades, where he had lived for nearly 46 years.
Representing the quintessential Southern California spirit, the Red Hot Chili Peppers took the stage. Bassist Flea made a bold entrance, performing a handstand clad only in a Speedo before launching into classic tracks like Dani California, Californication, and Under the Bridge.
A truly Los Angeles moment unfolded with a surprise performance from Dr. Dre, who, alongside Anderson .Paak and Sheila E., delivered Still D.R.E. and transitioned into the iconic California Love.
Joni Mitchell then captivated the audience with a heartfelt performance of Both Sides Now.
As the night progressed, No Doubt reunited to energize the crowd with hits such as I’m Just a Girl, Don’t Speak, and Spiderwebs, fronted by Gwen Stefani.
Katy Perry Shines
Katy Perry graced the stage next, accompanied by the Pasadena Chorale as she performed Rise, before continuing with Roar and California Gurls, proudly waving a California state flag.
After the initial set in one venue, the concert transitioned to the Intuit Dome, featuring Samuel L. Jackson, a firefighter from Altadena who lost his home while battling blazes, and legendary artist Rod Stewart. Stewart humorously teased the audience with an unexpected rendition of Maggie May.
P!nk offered a reflective performance with a stripped-down version of What About Us, covering Melissa Etheridge’s Me and Bobby McGee and Led Zeppelin’s Babe I’m Gonna Leave You.
Surviving Homes
Stevie Nicks performed several beloved songs, including Edge of Seventeen and Landslide, sharing the story of her evacuation from her aging Pacific Palisades home, which fortunately survived the fires.
Earth, Wind & Fire delivered a medley of their fan favorites: That’s the Way of the World, Shining Star, and September. The Black Crowes then joined John Fogerty for Have You Ever Seen the Rain?, with Slash making a notable appearance.
Throughout the concert, audience members heard testimonies from wildfire survivors. One poignant moment featured the Williams family, who discussed the loss of their four homes in Altadena before introducing the band Dawes, whose members were also affected by the fires.
In a touching display, Dawes’ Taylor Goldsmith shared his own heartache, revealing that he lost significant belongings, including his home recording studio, while his bandmate Griffin Goldsmith and his wife faced similar losses.
Transitioning seamlessly, Graham Nash and Stephen Stills connected with the audience as they performed For What It’s Worth, illustrating the impact of the night on both the performers and the attendees.
Overall, the evening was a testament to resilience. “We’re really thankful for this moment,” remarked one concert-goer, who attended with his daughter, both wearing shirts emblazoned with “First Responders.” He expressed hope that attending firefighters could take a moment for themselves amidst the ongoing stress of their duties.
Focus on Donations
Throughout the night, concert-goers were encouraged to contribute through FireAidLA.org. Donations made during the event would be matched by Steve Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, effectively doubling the impact of each contribution. Crystal highlighted that U2’s initial donation would be amplified due to this commitment.
The entirety of the funds raised will be directed to individuals and families affected by the wildfires, facilitated through a 501(c)(3) organization established under the Annenberg Foundation to oversee the distribution of aid.
Source
www.cbc.ca