BBC News
A celebrity-filled line-up is poised to take over two locations in Los Angeles on Thursday for a benefit concert aimed at aiding recovery from two of the most devastating fires in the region’s history.
Over 20 artists spanning diverse genres are lined up for the FireAid benefit concert, occurring at two major venues in the city at the same time.
Scheduled to perform are Sting, P!nk, Lil Baby, Rod Stewart, Lady Gaga, and Earth Wind & Fire. The lineup also features several acts hailing from the LA area, including Billie Eilish, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and No Doubt.
Proceeds from the concert along with donations during the event will contribute to the rebuilding of communities and initiatives aimed at preventing future wildfires.
Approximately 30 individuals lost their lives, and over 10,000 homes and businesses were destroyed in the rapidly spreading, destructive fires that ignited in early January.
Who is performing at FireAid?
The concert will take place at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome on Thursday evening, two large venues located about a mile apart. The shows are set to begin roughly an hour and a half apart and will reportedly feature two to four songs from each performer.
Performers at Intuit Dome include: Billie Eilish, Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Tate McRae, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
At the Kia Forum, the performing artists include: Alanis Morissette, Anderson .Paak, Dawes, Graham Nash, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, Pink, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks, the Black Crowes, and John Mayer.
Dave Matthews was initially scheduled to perform at the second venue but withdrew on Wednesday night due to a “critical illness in the family.”
Organizers have indicated that performances will be staggered and broadcast on large screens in both arenas to ensure a continuous flow between acts.
The events are anticipated to include special guests and spotlight those affected by the fires, as well as the first responders who fought the blazes.
Can I watch the show at home?
Absolutely. While attendees at the two venues will experience the concert live, those watching from home will have various options for viewing.
Organizers have announced that it will be streamed for free on multiple platforms, including: Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Facebook, Instagram, Max, Netflix, Tudum, Paramount+, Peacock, NBC News Now, YouTube, and KTLA.
The concert will also be screened in select AMC and Regal theaters across the nation.
The music is slated to begin at 18:00 in LA (21:00 in New York, 02:00 Friday in the UK).
How can you assist LA fire victims?
Viewers will have the opportunity to donate to relief efforts during the show, either through text messaging or by visiting FireAidLA.org.
Donations will be managed by the Annenberg Foundation, focusing on immediate relief initiatives and long-term fire prevention programs.
Moreover, Connie and Steve Ballmer – owners of the LA Clippers and the Intuit Dome and Forum – will match all contributions made during the broadcast.
The Palisades and Eaton fires became the largest fires ever recorded in the LA area earlier this month. Both fires ignited on January 7 when the region was hit by strong winds, complicating efforts to contain the small blazes in the brush-strewn, hilly areas.
Embers traveled for miles, setting ablaze entire communities and decimating neighborhoods.
Nearly 7,000 structures were destroyed in the Palisades fire in northwest LA, while another 9,400 were lost in the Eaton fire in the Altadena region of Los Angeles County. The fires also resulted in numerous casualties..
