Lady Gaga and Rod Stewart pay tribute to LA fire victims at star-studded fundraiser concerts

31 January 2025, 03:08 | Updated: 31 January 2025, 03:12

Sting, Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga are among the stars performing at a huge benefit concert in Los Angeles to help the area recover from recent devastating wildfires.
Sting, Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga are among the stars performing at a huge benefit concert in Los Angeles to help the area recover from recent devastating wildfires. Picture: Getty

By Josef Al Shemary

Sting, Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga are among the stars performing at a huge benefit concert in Los Angeles to help the area recover from recent devastating wildfires.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

More than 25 artists are in the line-up for the FireAid benefit show - being held at two large venues in the city at the same time.

Proceeds from the concert and donations during the show will go towards rebuilding communities in the Los Angeles area, which have seen massive devastation in the wake of unprecedented wildfires.

Among those set to perform are Sting, P!nk, Lil Baby, Rod Stewart, Lady Gaga and Earth Wind & Fire. The lineup also includes multiple acts who were born in the LA area, including Billie Eilish, Dawes, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and No Doubt.

In an Instagram story on the event’s page, Sir Rod Stewart shared a message urging people to donate to the cause.

Read more: Mick Jagger leads tributes to late ex-girlfriend and Sixties pop icon Marianne Faithfull

“Hi this is Rod Stewart, I’ve flown all the way from England to be in for tonight’s Fire-Aid cause,” he said.

“LA is very special to me, I’ve lived here for 50 odd years, i’ve only moved back to England a few years ago.

“It’s in my heart and it’s in my soul, so let’s raise lots and lots of money for tonight. Wonderful event. It’s going to be fantastic.”

Read more: Britney Spears' ex Sam Asghari is 'not sad' their marriage ended as he reveals 'weirdest thing' about relationship

At least 28 people died as a result of the fast-spreading wildfires, and 16,000 homes and businesses were destroyed since they started in early January.

The shows are taking place at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome, two large arenas about a mile apart, on Thursday evening.

At the Intuit Dome, those performing 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, those performing 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.

Read more: Sinead O'Connor leaves children £1.7m as she urges them to 'milk' her music in final wishes

Mike Dirnt, Billie Joe Armstrong, Tré Cool of Green Day at FireAid Benefit Concert at Intuit Dome on January 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Mike Dirnt, Billie Joe Armstrong, Tré Cool of Green Day at FireAid Benefit Concert at Intuit Dome on January 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Picture: Getty

Each artist is expected to perform around two to four songs.

Proceeds go towards an organization created to rebuild Los Angeles infrastructure, as well as support displaced families and advance fire prevention technologies and strategies.

Irving Azoff, former Ticketmaster chief and one of the organisers of the event told the AP that "there are at least 2,000 seats going to first responders, firemen, policemen and people that have lost their homes."

A press release confirmed that proceeds will be handled by the Annenberg Foundation, an organisation founded in the late 80s by Walter H. Annenberg - former US ambassador to the UK.

An aerial image shows homes damaged and destroyed by the Eaton Fire in the Altadena neighborhood of Los Angeles county, California on January 30, 2025.
An aerial image shows homes damaged and destroyed by the Eaton Fire in the Altadena neighborhood of Los Angeles county, California on January 30, 2025. Picture: Getty

"Contributions made to FireAid, in connection with the FireAid benefit concert, and other direct donations will be distributed under the advisement of the Annenberg Foundation and will be distributed for short-term relief efforts and long-term initiatives to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California.

"The Annenberg Foundation, with decades of philanthropic leadership in our community, including rapid response, will help coordinate a team to direct funds for the greatest impact."

Shelli Azoff, Irving Azoff’s wife, co-organised the event. She said she was determined to make sure the money got into the right hands.

Read more: $150m Michael Jackson biopic in chaos due to legal issue concerning sexual abuse claims - as release date postponed

People arriving outside the Forum prior to the FireAid benefit concert on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif.
People arriving outside the Forum prior to the FireAid benefit concert on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. Picture: Alamy

"It was very important for us to find people that were familiar with the right organisations. So that we could place the money in the right place," she said.

"I think that all of us are really committed to getting the money to the people that have been very affected.

"It means a lot to me to get it to people that haven't been thought about. And those are the people that don't have jobs anymore due to the businesses being down as well.”

The concerts will be live-streamed for free on multiple streaming platforms, including YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Facebook, Instagram, Disney+, and Paramount+.

It will also be shown in a number of theatres across the US.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Almost a third of children have refused to go to school, at least one, in the past year.

Education secretary warns of school absence 'epidemic' as a third of children have tried to miss school this year

Prosper admitted killing his mother and two siblings

Teenager who admitted killing his mother and siblings in Luton flat was planning a school shooting, police reveal

Miquita Oliver shar

TV presenter Miquita Oliver reveals first kiss was with infamous ISIS Beatle 'Jihadi George'

Roberta Flack On Stage At Park West

'Killing Me Softly' singer and R&B icon Roberta Flack dies aged 88

Arsenal fans celebrate after they score, Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Met police officer sacked for 'football hooliganism' after throwing flare at Arsenal match

Louisa (Lulu) Palmisano.

Pictured: 'Sweet, kind and generous' girl, 3, killed in crash involving van and tram as man, 36, arrested

Near-Earth asteroid, artwork

NASA gives major update on massive 'city killer' asteroid 'the size of Big Ben' striking earth and it's good news

Prosper pleaded guilty to all six charges at Luton Crown Court

Man, 19, admits murdering his mother, sister and brother in Luton flat

Ozempic and Wegovy, injectable prescription weight loss medicines.

Fresh concerns over weight-loss jabs as medication linked to dozens of deaths

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for an investigation into the BBC Gaza documentary.

Kemi Badenoch calls for investigation into BBC Gaza documentary featuring grandson of Hamas founder

Chants of “f*** the feds” could be heard as the boys took control of the emergency vehicle.

GenZ mob run riot for TikTok stunt and swarm police cars during ‘free pop-up’ by streetwear clothing brands

Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Ashbourne, Derbyshire,

Boy, 15, arrested after school forced into lockdown after student 'behaving aggressively and threatening staff'

The Runcorn and Helsby MP has been sitting as an independent since he was suspended following his arrest in October

MP Mike Amesbury jailed for 10 weeks for punching man in street in 'unprovoked drunken' assault

Speaking via video link to a Kyiv conference, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that Britain is ready to commit British troops on the ground in Ukraine in order to maintain peace.

'Russia doesn't hold all the cards', Starmer says, as he tells Ukraine 'we are with you' three years on from invasion

Leanne Lucas has described for the first time the desperate moments when she helped children run to safety

'If I didn't get out, everyone was going to die': Hero yoga teacher tells how she saved children from Southport attacker

Moise Kean was carried into an ambulance after collapsing during Fiorentina’s game against Verona

Moise Kean update after ex-Everton star rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch