INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Music’s biggest stars gathered at the FireAid benefit concert on January 30, 2025, to support those affected by the devastating wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area. Hosted across the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome, this monumental event highlighted the power of music and community, combining breathtaking performances with heartfelt testimonials from survivors.
The spotlight shone brightly on the iconic rock band Nirvana, who made their long-anticipated reunion during the concert. Joined by guest vocalists including Joan Jett, St. Vincent, and Kim Gordon, the surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear reunited for four electrifying songs. Fans were treated to renditions of 'Breed,' 'School,' and 'Territorial Pissings,' before Grohl’s daughter, Violet, stepped up to lead 'All Apologies,' marking the poignant closure of their set.
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day kicked off the evening's festivities with 'Last Night on Earth,' soon inviting fellow California artist Billie Eilish to join him on stage. Their duet, simple yet powerful, captured the essence of the evening. Armstrong humorously declared, "Our goal is simple tonight, to spend more money than the Dodgers spent on free agents," which brought laughter to the audience. The crowd was reminded of the flames of devastation as images of firefighters battling the wildfires flashed across screens.
Among the over 20 star-studded performances, the Red Hot Chili Peppers brought their Californian spirit with lively hits such as 'Dani California' and 'Californication.' Dr. Dre delivered electrifying versions of 'Still D.R.E.' and 'California Love,' alongside collaborators Anderson .Paak and Sheila E. Meanwhile, the legendary Joni Mitchell graced the stage, offering emotional renditions of her classics, including 'Both Sides Now,' all the way from her throne.
Women dominated the stage during several performances as Gwen Stefani led No Doubt through crowd favorites like 'I'm Just A Girl' and 'Don't Speak.' Katy Perry captivated the audience with uplifting songs like 'Rise,' accompanied by the Pasadena Chorale. Each set carried both musical excellence and poignant reminders of the community they aimed to heal.
During the event, heartwarming stories were shared by survivors, reminding all attendees of the true cost of these wildfires. Actor Billy Crystal, who lost his home of 46 years, addressed the crowd with tearful anecdotes. His powerful words, "Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories... we are heartbroken but we will get through this," projected the spirit of resilience toward the audience.
For many artists, their participation spurred personal reflections: Stevie Nicks dedicated 'Landslide' to the brave firefighters. The performances were intertwined with calls to donate, with prominent personalities like U2 pledging significant amounts to aid recovery efforts. U2's contribution of $1 million became even more impactful with Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer matching all live donations.
Lady Gaga, closing the night, performed her Oscar-winning songs 'Shallow' and 'Always Remember Us This Way' and premiered new material, noting, "It’s just for tonight, it’s just for you." This heartfelt song, crafted with her fiancé Michael Polansky, encapsulated the night’s theme of healing and compassion.
Throughout the near six-hour concert, both venues connected viewers and attendees through live streaming, seamlessly switching between performances. Donations were heavily encouraged through FireAidLA.org, providing attendees with opportunities to give directly to the cause.
The FireAid concert served as both entertainment and affirmation of the power of community. Proceeds raised during the night will be allocated to rebuilding efforts for the thousands of homes and businesses lost to the wildfires, as well as preventative measures to safeguard the region against future disasters. With at least 29 lives lost to the raging flames and over 16,000 homes destroyed, efforts like FireAid resonate deeply within the heart of the community.
Scott Jones, who attended with his daughter, encapsulated the event’s spirit perfectly: “We hope the firefighters who are able to attend can come and decompress. They needed it. I’m supportive of what they have done for this city.” Reflecting on the strength of their gathering, FireAid ignited hope on what has been one of the community’s darkest nights.