Photo Credit: Digital Music News
Over two dozen of the biggest stars of the past 50 years came together to perform at the FireAid benefit concert for Los Angeles.
Billie Eilish, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, Nirvana, Lady Gaga, and a Stills/Nash reunion. These were just a few of the highlights of a history-making night across two venues, offering Los Angeles a much needed musical respite following the devastating wildfires that ravaged the area this month.
The FireAid benefit concert was no small task to arrange. It was split into two venues to make the event easier to manage, at the Kia Forum and the Intuit Dome just a mile apart. Many of the contemporary acts played the newer Intuit Dome, while the classic rock acts primarily played the famed Kia Forum.
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Attendees may have found the event similar to a one-day festival, though one had to decide which of the venues they preferred. Switching between the two, despite their close proximity, wasn’t really viable.
While the total donations haven’t been announced, Los Angeles Clippers owner and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie matched every donation dollar-for-dollar — indicating the final pot will be significant.
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Among the night’s highlights included Billie Eilish’s performance with her brother and producer Finneas, Olivia Rodrigo’s stunning set, and a killer performance from Sting. A Nirvana reunion featured Dave Grohl and his daughter Violet, as well as guest vocals from Kim Gordon, St. Vincent, and Joan Jett. Stephen Stills and Graham Nash reunited for the first time in a decade, and Joni Mitchell brought the crowd to tears.
The show also featured personal accounts of the devastation of the wildfires from Los Angeles citizens and stars alike. Stories highlighted personal loss, as well as the heroism of the responders and the hope they brought with them. Billy Crystal took the stage to talk about exploring the wreckage of his Palisades home. A teacher spoke of losing the Altadena home that she spent 20 years saving up to purchase.
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Some of the biggest musicians of the last half-century graced the stage at FireAid, but all manner of celebrities enjoyed the show. Attendees included Gayle King, Jessica Alba, Julianne Hough, John Boyega, Storm Reid, Alex Wolff, and many more.