FireAid Showcases Music’s Largest Acts To Elevate Cash For LA Wildfire Reduction – The Boston Courier

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, a large profit live performance Thursday that mixed spectacular performances with shifting storytelling from survivors and reminders of the destruction.

In an evening filled 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 listing. They launched into “Breed,” “School” and “Territorial Pissings” respectively, impressed and surprising decisions.

Drummer Dave Grohl’s daughter, Violet, then emerged on stage for “All Apologies.”

Nearer Girl Gaga, after powering by way of the Oscar-award successful “Shallow” and “Always Remember Us This Way” from “A Star Is Born,” performed a brand new tune on the piano. “It’s just for tonight, it’s just for you,” she mentioned of the tune she wrote with fiancé businessman Michael Polansky. “Time is a healer.”

“All I need is time,” she sang within the folk-y pop refrain. “To heal my broken wings and then I’ll soar.”

Inexperienced Day kicked off the huge present by launching into “Last Night on Earth” on the Kia Discussion board and have been quickly joined by Billie Eilish for the primary shock of the night time. 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 gang on the Kia Discussion board.

“Our goal is simple tonight, to spend more money than the Dodgers spent on free agents,” he joked. He instructed the viewers U2 supplied the primary massive donation of the night time: $1 million {dollars}.

Crystal mentioned he was carrying the garments he had on when he evacuated. He misplaced his residence within the Pacific Palisades neighborhood that he lived in for 46 years.

Is there any band extra Southern California in spirit and geography than the Pink Scorching Chili Peppers? Bassist Flea did a handstand on stage carrying solely a Speedo earlier than they launched into one in all their numerous odes to the state: “Dani California,” “Californication” and “Under the Bridge.”

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 night time, the not too long ago 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 was 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.

And Eilish and her brother Finneas, who’ve referred to as Los Angeles residence for his or her complete lives, carried out lovely acoustic variations of her current hits “Wildflower,” “The Greatest” and “Birds of a Feather.”

FireAid unfold its performances between two venues, the Kia Discussion board and Intuit Dome, offering a close to seamless stream of music for almost six hours. Behind early performances, photos of firefighters and the devastation introduced forth by the fires appeared on display screen.

Olivia Rodrigo, Stevie Surprise, Sting and Pink supplied memorable units.

Stevie Nicks did “Edge of Seventeen,” “Stand Back” and “Landslide,” and instructed the story of evacuating her Pacific Palisades residence that miraculously didn’t burn down. Her residence is usually wooden, in-built 1938, and she or he theorized its loss would have destroyed the entire avenue.

Earth, Wind & Hearth did a medley of their largest 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.

Lil Child supplied a uncommon hip-hop break within the night time of principally pop and rock, together with his hits “So Sorry” and “Emotionally Scarred.”

Tate McRae carried out her 2020 lower “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.

Between units, survivors telling tales of dropping their houses have been broadcast all through the world, each in particular person and in video packages.

Non-celebrities introduced coronary heart. The Williams household, together with 4 daughters and their mom, took the stage and mentioned dropping 4 houses in Altadena, California. They launched the folks rock band Dawes, whose members additionally have been immediately affected by the Eaton hearth.

Dawes’ Taylor Goldsmith misplaced a portion of the Altadena home he shares with actor-singer Mandy Moore and his residence recording studio and devices have been destroyed. Goldsmith’s brother and bandmate, Griffin Goldsmith, and his pregnant spouse additionally misplaced their residence within the hearth.

Spirits have been excessive. “We’re appreciative of this moment. I hope people remember this concert forever,” mentioned 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 mentioned. “They needed it. I’m supportive of what they have done for this city.”

All through the present, viewers and attendees have been inspired to donate through FireAidLA.org.

Los Angeles Clippers proprietor Steve Ballmer and his spouse Connie pledged to match all donations made in the course of the dwell broadcast, doubling the proceeds. Crystal famous that due to their announcement, 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 below the Annenberg Basis, which with FireAid has assembled a small committee to advise.

AP Entertainment Writers Mark Kennedy and Jonathan Landrum Jr. contributed to this report.