Pop stars, rock legends, first-responders and wildfire survivors came together for FireAid, a star-studded, two-venue benefit concert that stretched into the early-morning hours Friday to raise money for those affected by the recent wildfires.
The benefit that began Thursday night took place at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome, neighboring venues in Inglewood. Lady Gaga brought the night to a powerful close, performing songs from the 2018 film “A Star Is Born” along with an original piece she wrote specifically for the cause.
The two-venue event featured a diverse lineup, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Katy Perry, No Doubt, Earth, Wind & Fire, Dr. Dre, Joni Mitchell, Alanis Morissette, Stevie Nicks, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, Mike Campbell and Olivia Rodrigo.
In a surprise moment, Nirvana’s surviving members — Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear — took the stage, joined by St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett and Grohl’s daughter, Violet, to perform a selection of the band’s iconic songs, including “Breed” and “School.”
Green Day opened the night with an electrifying performance of “Last Night on Earth” at the Kia Forum, setting the tone for show. The first surprise of the evening came when Billie Eilish joined them on stage, delivering a poignant duet. The song’s lyrics — “If I lose everything in the fire / I’m sending all my love to you” — resonated with the night’s cause.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, long synonymous with Southern California’s music scene, delivered a high-energy performance. Bassist Flea, known for his eccentric stage presence, kicked off the set with a handstand while wearing only a Speedo before the band launched into a trio of their California-inspired hits: “Dani California,” “Californication” and “Under the Bridge.”
The concert also featured a surprise appearance by Dr. Dre, a pioneer of West Coast hip-hop. Joined by Anderson .Paak and Sheila E., he delivered a powerful performance of “Still D.R.E.” before transitioning into the iconic “California Love,” his classic collaboration with Tupac Shakur.
Actor Billy Crystal, who lost his home of 46 years in the Pacific Palisades fires, took the stage at the Kia Forum to welcome the crowd. He announced that U2 had kicked off the night’s donations with a $1 million contribution.
Beyond the star-studded performances, the event also featured heartfelt moments from speakers, including firefighters and residents who lost their homes in the fires.
Music mogul Irving Azoff and his wife, Shelli, spearheaded FireAid in the aftermath of the devastating fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, collaborating with Live Nation and the Los Angeles Clippers to bring the benefit concert to life, according to the event’s website.
Organizers have not yet disclosed the total amount raised, but donations were still being accepted through the event’s website at fireaidla.org.
