FireAid L.A. benefit concert: Live stream, donate, list of performers, venues, and everything to know

11/30/2024, 9:59 AM
fastcompany.com

According to estimates from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, more than 16,200 structures were damaged or destroyed in the devastating fires that broke out in the Los Angeles area at the beginning of the year.

These will take years to rebuild, not to mention billions of dollars. Music superstars decided early on to lend their talents to the fundraising efforts and play an epic FireAid Benefit concert spanning two venues.

The event takes place tonight (Thursday, January 30, 2025), beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Here’s everything you need to know about it, including how to stream it and donate:

A brief timeline of the L.A. fires

On the morning of January 7, a fire broke out in the Pacific Palisades area. Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and dry conditions, it spread rapidly. Later that same morning, the Eaton fire broke out north of Pasadena, near Eaton Canyon. Similar weather conditions caused this blaze to also proliferate swiftly.

As of publication, the Palisades fire has burned 23,448 acres and is 96% contained while the Eaton fire burned 14,021 acres and is 99% contained. Twenty-nine people died in these two fires.

On January 22, the Hughes fire broke out near Castaic Lake in northern Los Angeles County. It burned 10,425 acres and is now 98% contained.

Several smaller fires also broke out, including the Lidia, Archer, Woodley, Sunset, Kenneth, Hurst, and Auto fires—burning a combined total of 2,399 acres. These are no longer considered active.

Who spearheaded the FireAid concert?

Shelli Azoff is the mastermind behind the concert. The idea was born on January 9, just two days after the first fires broke out.

“When it became obvious that there was going to be a need, I think we were just trying to commiserate. ‘What can we do?’ And Shelli said we should do all we know how to do. We should do the show,” Irving Azoff, Shelli’s husband and COO of Full Stop Management, told the Associated Press.

Where will the FireAid benefit take place?

A concert at the Intuit Dome was announced on January 10, which additionally expanded to the nearby Kia Forum as well. So many artists wanted to help that two venues were necessary—and still they had to turn some artists away.

Who is performing where?

Producing partners the Azoff family, Live Nation, and AEG Presents decided to divide the artists by genre. Pop artists will perform at the Intuit while rockers got the Forum.

Intuit Dome: 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.
Kia Forum: 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, Dave Matthews, and John Mayer.

Each act is going to perform two to four songs, bringing the total run time of the show to more than five hours. Performers at the two venues will switch off, so no matter the audience’s physical location, they will get the whole show. Beyond the 28 performers, there will also be special guest appearances—both celebrities and people impacted by the fires, including first responders.

How can I donate to FireAid?

You don’t have to wait until the big show to donate. You can do so right now at FireAidLA.org.

How can I watch or stream the benefit concert live?

If you find yourself in Los Angeles, tickets can be procured on Ticketmaster. One hundred percent of all ticket purchases will go to benefit FireAid relief efforts and all fees have been waived for the special event.

If you are outside of Tinseltown or the ticket prices are not in your budget, never fear. Some AMC theaters are hosting screenings.

There are also many options for you to listen to or stream the event. We’ve also embedded a YouTube stream of the event below.

Check it out on: