LA wildfires: Music mega stars to perform at FireAid to raise funds for relief efforts

Global superstars Sting, Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will be performing at a high-profile benefit concert aimed at supporting Los Angeles-area wildfire relief efforts.

Originally planned to take place only at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, the event, ‘FireAid,’ will now span two venues: the Intuit Dome and the neighbouring Kia Forum, on 30 January.

The concert will be broadcast and streamed live across multiple platforms, including Apple Music, Apple TV, Netflix/Tudum, Spotify, Prime Video, and YouTube, as well as being aired on iHeartRadio, SiriusXM, and KTLA+. Fans can also catch the event in select AMC theatres across the United States.

In a statement, organisers stated that proceeds will go to short-term relief efforts and long-term wildfire prevention initiatives, with funds distributed under the guidance of the Annenberg Foundation.

"All proceeds from FireAid will go directly to the event’s designated beneficiaries," the statement revealed.

The concert’s line-up also includes Joni Mitchell, Katy Perry, Pink, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Gwen Stefani, Green Day, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Rising stars such as Gracie Abrams and Tate McRae will also take the stage, alongside unique collaborations like Dave Matthews and John Mayer performing live together for the first time.

Tickets for FireAid will go on sale Wednesday at 12 pm PDT via Ticketmaster, as more performers are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The event would be headed by Shelli, Irving, and the Azoff family, in collaboration with Live Nation and AEG Presents. Since the wildfires began, celebrities and entertainment organisations have collectively accumulated millions of dollars to aid those displaced or affected.

Beyoncé, through her foundation BeyGOOD, contributed $2.5 million to the newly established LA Fire Relief Fund.

Meanwhile, the Recording Academy and MusiCares launched their Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort with an initial $1 million donation. This figure has since doubled because of further contributions, providing crucial emergency aid.

The 67th annual Grammy Awards, set for 2 February at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, will proceed as planned but with a renewed focus on supporting wildfire relief initiatives.