INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Pop stars, first responders, rock stars and people who’ve misplaced all the things within the devastating LA-area wildfires got here collectively for FireAid on Thursday evening, a profit live performance that mixed spectacular performances with shifting storytelling from survivors and reminders of the destruction.
In an evening stuffed with surprises, a reunion of Nirvana — fronted by St. Vincent, Kim Gordon and Joan Jett within the place of the late Kurt Cobain — tops the checklist. They launched into “Breed,” “School” and “Territorial Pissings” respectively, impressed and surprising decisions.
Drummer Dave Grohl’s daughter Violet Grohl then emerged on stage for “All Apologies.”
Inexperienced Day kicked off the large present by launching into “Last Night on Earth” on the Kia Discussion board and had been quickly joined by Billie Eilish for the primary shock of the evening. The lyrics are surprisingly astute: “If I lose everything in the fire / I’m sending all my love to you.”
After their set, Inexperienced Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong hugged actor Billy Crystal, who was there to welcome to the group on the Kia Discussion board.
“Our goal is simple tonight, to spend more money than the Dodgers spent on free agents,” he joked. He informed the viewers U2 supplied the primary massive donation of the evening — $1 million {dollars}.
Crystal stated he was carrying the garments he had on when he evacuated. He misplaced his dwelling within the Pacific Palisades neighborhood that he lived in for 46 years.
SoCal within the constructing
The primary true-blue Los Angeles second got here from a shock efficiency by Dr. Dre. The progenitor of West Coast hip-hop tackled “Still D.R.E.” with Anderson .Paak and Sheila E. earlier than pivoting to Tupac and Dre’s traditional “California Love.”
It was adopted by the figurehead of Laurel Canyon people, a shifting set of “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell.
Later within the evening, the lately reunited, Orange Nation ska punk legends No Doubt launched into “I’m Just a Girl,” “Don’t Speak” and “Spiderwebs,” led by frontwoman Gwen Stefani.
Katy Perry is joined by the Pasadena Chorale for “Rise” earlier than launching into “Roar” and “California Gurls.” She paraded throughout the stage with the California state flag in hand.
Two venues, one enormous live performance
An hour and a half after Inexperienced Day, the present launched on the close by Intuit Dome with presenter Samuel L. Jackson, an Altadena fireplace fighter who misplaced his dwelling whereas combating to avoid wasting others, and Rod Stewart.
“Here’s a new song. Not!” joked Stewart earlier than launching into “Maggie May.”
Pink did a stripped-down model of “What About Us,” Melissa Etheridge’s “Me and Bobby McGee” and Led Zeppelin’s “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You.”
Stevie Nicks did “Edge of Seventeen,” “Stand Back” and “Landslide,” and informed the story of evacuating her Pacific Palisades dwelling that miraculously didn’t burn down. Her dwelling is generally wooden, in-built 1938, and she or he theorized if it burnt down, it could’ve destroyed the entire avenue.
Earth, Wind & Fireplace did a medley of their greatest hits: “That’s the Way of the World,” “Shining Star” and “September.” The Black Crowes backed up John Fogerty for “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” Then the band was joined by Slash.
Gen Z favourite Gracie Abrams was backed by The Nationwide’s Aaron Dessner — a second the place the screams of girls within the viewers overpowered the boys.
Tate McRae carried out her 2020 reduce “You Broke Me First” and a canopy of Crowded Home’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over.” Jelly Roll introduced nation music to the occasion, performing his hit “I Am Not Okay” and a canopy of Bob Seger’s “Hollywood Nights” with Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker.
Music blended with tales of fireside’s toll
Behind the performers, photographs of firefighters and the devastation introduced forth by the fires appeared on display.
Between units, survivors telling the tales of shedding their properties had been broadcast all through the world — each in individual and in video packages.
Non-celebrities introduced coronary heart. The Williams household – 4 daughters and their mom – took the stage and mentioned shedding 4 properties in Altadena, California. They then launched the people rock band Dawes, who had been additionally straight affected by the Eaton fireplace.
Dawes’ Taylor Goldsmith misplaced a portion of the Altadena home he shares with actor-singer Mandy Moore, and his dwelling recording studio and devices had been destroyed. Goldsmith’s brother and bandmate, Griffin Goldsmith, and his pregnant spouse additionally misplaced their dwelling within the fireplace.
They had been joined by Stephen Stills and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ Mike Campbell for Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth,” one in every of Stills’ teams. It made for an ideal transition for Graham Nash, who described his Crosby, Stills & Nash collaborator as his “partner of many years.”
Spirits had been excessive. “We’re appreciative of this moment. I hope people remember this concert forever,” stated Scott Jones, 54, who introduced his daughter to the live performance on the Kia Discussion board. The Los Angeles-resident and his daughter wore black T-shirts with “First Responders” written throughout their chests.
“I hope some of the firefighters who are able to attend can come and decompress a little,” Jones stated. “They needed it. I’m supportive of what they have done for this city.”
The way to watch FireAid
FireAid has taken over two Inglewood, California, venues — the Kia Discussion board and the Intuit Dome.
It’s being broadcast and streamed reside on Apple Music, Apple TV+, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix/Tudum, Paramount+, Prime Video, the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM, Spotify, SoundCloud, Veeps and YouTube. It should even be proven at choose AMC Theatres areas within the U.S.
Who else will carry out?
Eilish, Girl Gaga, Lil Child, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Stevie Surprise and Sting will carry out on the Intuit Dome.
The Purple Sizzling Chili Peppers will carry out on the Kia Discussion board.
How can I donate?
These not in attendance can watch the reside feed and contribute donations through FireAidLA.org. The hyperlink, which is open now, can even be up on the display throughout the published.
Los Angeles Clippers proprietor Steve Ballmer and his spouse Connie will match all donations made in the course of the reside broadcast, doubling the proceeds. Crystal famous that due to their pledge, U2’s million greenback donation was price twice that quantity.
The entire proceeds will go to these affected. A 501(c)(3) was arrange, and contributions to FireAid shall be distributed underneath the Annenberg Basis, which with FireAid has assembled a small committee to advise.
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AP Leisure Writers Mark Kennedy and Jonathan Landrum Jr. contributed to this report.
