BEYOND THE NOTES
FireAid LA is available to stream online through the end of the year.
February 11, 2025 | Katherine Cruz-Alvarez
For nearly a month, wildfires raged across Southern California, leaving devastation in their wake. Homes burned. Lives were upended. Communities faced an overwhelming road to recovery. But on January 30, 2025, something extraordinary happened—music’s biggest stars came together for FireAid LA, a benefit concert spanning two legendary venues: the Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum.
More than 25 artists delivered a five-hour spectacle that wasn’t just about raising money—it was about restoring hope. From Peso Pluma to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, every performance carried the weight of resilience. As of now, FireAid LA has raised over $100 million for wildfire relief, with online donations still being accepted on their website. The funds, administered by the Annenberg Foundation, will support short-term relief efforts and long-term wildfire prevention initiatives.
The evening was packed with unforgettable moments. At the Kia Forum, Alanis Morissette and Anderson .Paak electrified the stage, while a surprise reunion of Nirvana’s surviving members—joined by St. Vincent and Joan Jett—sent the crowd into a frenzy. Over at the Intuit Dome, Billie Eilish and Finneas delivered a hauntingly beautiful set, leading into a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration featuring Stevie Wonder, Sting, and Flea, whose chemistry was nothing short of magic.
But FireAid LA wasn’t just about the music. Between sets, celebrities and wildfire survivors took the stage, sharing stories of loss, courage, and resilience. Actor Billy Crystal spoke about losing his home to the Palisades fire, while Quinta Brunson, famous for playing a teacher in ABC’s Abbott Elementary, introduced a Glendale High School teacher who lost the home she had spent a lifetime saving for in the Altadena fire. Throughout the night, the event remained centered on honoring first responders, raising awareness for wildfire devastation, and uplifting those affected.
Beyond the numbers, FireAid LA was a love letter to Los Angeles. The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ explosive performance of “Californication” and Katy Perry’s waving of the California flag during “California Gurls” turned the night into an anthem of home and belonging. Then came Lady Gaga.
In one of the night’s most poignant moments, she debuted a new song, “All I Need Is Time,” written with her fiancé in honor of the wildfire victims. Designed to inspire healing and strength, her voice, raw with emotion, filled the arena as she sang:
“All I need is time to heal my broken wings and then I’ll soar.”
However, FireAid LA wasn’t the first benefit concert but neither was it like any other. Following in the footsteps of Live Aid (1985) and The Concert for New York City (2001), it redefined what a modern relief event could be. The event leveraged streaming and social media to engage audiences worldwide in real time, expanding its reach and impact far beyond the arena. By blending the emotional power of live music with modern technology, FireAid LA proved that benefit concerts remain as vital as ever, evolving to connect and inspire a new generation.
In the wake of a tragedy, FireAid LA reminded the world of an undeniable truth: music doesn’t just entertain—it connects, it heals, and it unites the community when they need it most. And in Los Angeles, a city built on dreams and reinvention, the message was clear—when disaster strikes, we rebuild together.
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