Nirvana Reunites for FireAid Benefit Concert Supporting LA Wildfires.
A star-studded crowd of musicians, first responders, and survivors gathered on Thursday night for FireAid, a benefit concert aimed at raising funds for those affected by the recent devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The event, held at the Kia Forum, combined powerful performances with emotional stories from those who had lost everything, creating a memorable night that highlighted both the destruction and the resilience of the community.
One of the evening's most unexpected moments came when Nirvana reunited, with St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, and Joan Jett stepping in for the late Kurt Cobain. The iconic rock band played a trio of fan favourites, including "Breed," "School," and "Territorial Pissings" — selections that were as inspired as they were surprising. Drummer Dave Grohl's daughter, Violet Grohl, also made an appearance, joining the band on stage for a moving rendition of "All Apologies."
Green Day kicked off the concert with a performance of "Last Night on Earth," setting the tone for the night. The first surprise of the evening came when Billie Eilish joined Green Day for a duet, with the lyrics of the song echoing the theme of the evening: "If I lose everything in the fire / I’m sending all my love to you." After their set, Green Day’s frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong, shared a lighthearted moment with actor Billy Crystal, who was present to support the cause. "Our goal is simple tonight, to spend more money than the Dodgers spent on free agents," Armstrong joked, before revealing that U2 had made a generous $1 million donation to kick off the night’s fundraising.
Crystal, who had lost his home in the Pacific Palisades after evacuating, wore the same clothes he had on during the evacuation. He reflected on the loss of the home he had lived in for 46 years, adding a deeply personal layer to the night’s tribute to the wildfire survivors.
The concert also saw a special performance by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who truly embraced the Southern California spirit. Bassist Flea kicked off their set with a handstand in a Speedo before the band launched into their California anthems, including "Dani California," "Californication," and "Under the Bridge."
A standout Los Angeles moment came courtesy of Dr. Dre, who performed “Still D.R.E.” with Anderson .Paak and Sheila E., before transitioning into the West Coast hip-hop classic "California Love." The night continued with a poignant set from folk legend Joni Mitchell, who performed “Both Sides Now” and shared her thoughts on the wildfires.
The reunited ska-punk band No Doubt also graced the stage, with frontwoman Gwen Stefani leading the group through hits like “I’m Just a Girl,” “Don’t Speak,” and “Spiderwebs.” Later, Katy Perry joined forces with the Pasadena Chorale for an emotional rendition of “Rise,” before performing crowd favourites "Roar" and “California Gurls,” proudly waving the California state flag as she did so.
Billie Eilish, alongside her brother Finneas, delivered acoustic versions of their recent hits, including “Wildflower,” “The Greatest,” and “Birds of a Feather,” a performance that resonated deeply with the Los Angeles crowd.
FireAid was streamed across two venues: the Kia Forum and the Intuit Dome, keeping the music flowing non-stop for over five hours. Throughout the event, moving images of the firefighters and the destruction caused by the fires were displayed, reminding everyone of the urgent need for support. Performances from Olivia Rodrigo, Stevie Wonder, Sting, and P!nk made the evening even more unforgettable.
Stevie Nicks took the stage with a powerful set, including "Edge of Seventeen," "Stand Back," and "Landslide," and shared her own story of evacuating her home in Pacific Palisades, which was fortunately spared. Nicks reflected on how the loss of her home, built in 1938, could have devastated the entire street, adding a personal touch to the ongoing tribute to the community’s resilience.
The night was a testament to the strength of those affected by the fires, and the unyielding support of the music community, who came together to raise both awareness and funds for wildfire relief efforts.
