Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day, energized the sold-out audience at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles for the FireAid wildfire benefit concert, emphasizing unity amidst the recent devastating wildfires. Opening the star-studded lineup, Green Day performed their 2009 hit “Last Night on Earth” with pop sensation Billie Eilish, setting a tone of solidarity for the event.
Actor and comedian Billy Crystal, who recently suffered the loss of his home to the Palisades Fire, shared his heartfelt ordeal with the audience. He informed them that all donations made that night would be matched by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie Snyder, with an initial generous contribution of $1 million from U2.
The evening continued with performances from renowned artists, including Alanis Morissette, who delivered her song “Thank U,” and Anderson .Paak, who surprised fans with an appearance by Dr. Dre. The latter expressed gratitude to first responders while performing their iconic duet “California Love.”
An emotional moment came when 81-year-old Joni Mitchell performed, making a rare live appearance. Voices impacted by the fires shared their stories as well, including Dr. Eshele Williams and her family, who lost several homes and treasured items in the flames.
The folk rock band Dawes also contributed to the night, with members closely affected by the wildfires. They brought out legendary musicians Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, who performed “Teach Your Children,” inspiring the audience with a message of community care.
In addition to live music, the concert served as a platform to honor first responders. Samuel L. Jackson, who hosted the next phase of the evening at Intuit Dome, introduced Chien Yu, a firefighter who lost his home, before welcoming Rod Stewart, who performed his classic “Forever Young.”
John Mayer offered renditions of hit songs, while the iconic group Earth, Wind & Fire intensified the crowd’s energy with “September.” Rising star Gracie Abrams and her collaborator Aaron Dressner, as well as the band No Doubt, also contributed to the line-up, offering their own songs to support the cause.
Stevie Nicks poignantly dedicated her song “Landslide” to the Santa Rosa firefighters and expressed her appreciation for their bravery during the wildfire crisis. Similarly, Katy Perry invigorated the crowd with her performance, rallying them with messages of community strength and resilience.
Prominent figures such as former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff attended, reinforcing the community spirit as Emhoff acknowledged the concert as a demonstration of unity during difficult times.
The concert was more than just an extraordinary night of music — it served as a heartfelt gathering of compassion, showcasing the resilience of Los Angeles as it begins to recover and rebuild from the recent wildfires. Proceeds from the event will support infrastructure rebuilding, assist displaced families, and bolster fire prevention technologies, highlighting a collective effort to ensure better preparedness for future emergencies.
This event proves the power of music and community in times of crisis, revealing that together, people can unite and rise above challenges.