FireAid Review: Highlights From the Six Hour Benefit Show
Last Thursday, January 30th, the best of the music industry gathered in Inglewood, California, to help raise money for those recently impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. The benefit show hosted over thirty different performers, from Katy Perry to Rod Stewart and even Joni Mitchell.
Green Day kicked off the night with their hit, “Last Night on Earth,” bringing out Billie Eillish to help them with the second verse. With lyrics that seemed all too fitting, the two Billies sang, “If I lose everything in the fire, I’m sendin’ all my love to you.”
Source: John Shearer/ Getty Images for FireAid
Sporting an “I Heart L.A.” shirt, Alanis Morisette took to the stage next. The 90’s rock star lifted the spirits of the crowd with “Hand in My Pocket” and “Thank U–” her voice just as powerful and unique as it was 25 years ago.
Continuing on with the 90’s throwbacks, Dr. Dre proved he ‘still got love for the streets,’ with his performance of “Still D.R.E.” The rapper took a break in between songs to show his gratitude for California’s finest, saying “I appreciate all the first responders and all the firemen that put their lives on the line. It's all about love for me tonight. Guess what else I got?”
Joined by Anderson Paak and Sheila E., the West Coast native finished out his set with “California Love.”
The concert also featured some of today’s greatest pop stars, including Tate McRae and Olivia Rodrigo. The “Sports Car” singer showed her compassion for the city with a cover of Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It's Over,” while Rodrigo elected to sing the songs that L.A. motivated her to write.
“I find this place so beautiful and so inspiring, and I’ve written many songs about living here in my life, like this one,” she proudly shared before performing, “Deja Vu.” The audience was more than touched by Rodrigo’s words, emotionally shouting the lyrics, “Car rides down Malibu,” during the first verse.
Now, this article would not be complete without mention of perhaps the best act of the night—Pink. The pop-rock vocalist started with her song, “What About Us,” but left listeners speechless with an acoustic rendition of Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee.”
Ending the song winded, she quickly jumped into the next track in her setlist, Led Zeppelin’s "Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You.” Just when you thought it could not get any better, it did. Leave it to Pink to outdo both herself and two of rock’s biggest legends within a mere ten minutes.
Keeping it old school, Nirvana shocked fans with a reunion better than anyone could have imagined. Dave Grohl returned to his roots, trading his spot behind the mic for a seat behind the drums, while Pat Smear absolutely ripped it on the guitar, and Krist Novoselic strummed the bass like he never stopped. The band played four songs, inviting St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett and Violet Grohl to fill the shoes of Kurt Cobain.
After watching the performance, there was no doubt in my mind that Violet was Dave Grohl’s daughter. The 18-year-old exuded grunge, with a mysterious look and a PJ Harvey-type sound that fit in so flawlessly with the genre.
Introduced by Gwen Stefani as “L.A. rock royalty,” Stevie Nicks commanded the crowd with “Stand Back,” “Landslide,” and “Edge of Seventeen.” Her hair still wild and free, and her dress still long and silky, Nicks twirled around the stage as if it were 1980.
Towards the end of the night, the king of souls, Stevie Wonder, collaborated with Sting and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers very own, Flea, to sing “Higher Ground.” This may be the most unexpected trio of all time, but potentially the coolest. The three complimented each other very well, distracting from the sadness that brought them all together. No more than ten seconds into the song, the crowd was up on their feet and dancing.
And at last, the perfect end to a beautiful night. Lady Gaga showed just how much music can bring people together, closing out the show with "Shallow” and “Always Remember Us This Way.”
As the audience thought she was done, the star added, “When I was thinking about what to sing tonight, I thought I wanted to do something hopeful for you. I was thinking about my songs, and there wasn’t anything that seemed quite right.”
Gaga went on to say that with the help of her fiance, she wrote a new song for FireAid—one that would be special to her fans and to the event. Entitled “Time Is a Healer,” the tune had an optimistic message, especially appropriate for the times.
All in all, the concert ran about six hours—six hours of love, six hours of healing, and six hours of hope. Although nothing can fully fix the devastation, grief, and loss that Californians are experiencing, we hope that the gift of music was able to mend a little piece of their hearts.