Half of the estimated $100 million (€96m) raised from last month’s FireAid benefit concerts in Los Angeles has been distributed for immediate relief.

Selected community-based organisations on the front lines of wildfire relief have each received $100,000 or more in the initial phase of gifting. The full list of recipients can be found here.

At least 29 people were killed as a result of the January 2025 blazes, which destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in Southern California.

“The selected organisations have the infrastructure, experience, and relationships necessary to efficiently and equitably deliver assistance to fire-impacted individuals and have each received $100,000 or more,” says a FireAid statement. “The need for immediate relief funding remains dire and these funds will serve to assist with that goal.

“Grants have been allocated to support a myriad of fire affected individuals including displaced residents, workers, small business owners and first responders, with a focus on essential services, food assistance, childcare support, critical healthcare resources, housing support, rental relief, student assistance programmes, and navigation services to ensure victims can access legal resources, government benefits and seamlessly work through challenging paperwork.”

Produced by the Azoff family in conjunction with Live Nation and AEG Presents, FireAid featured performances from more than 30 artists at two LA venues – Intuit Dome (cap. 18,000) and Kia Forum (17,500) on 30 January – and were watched by more than 50 million viewers across 28 streaming platforms.

“FireAid has also established a programme for the issuance of smaller grants available to community-based organisations, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000”

Acts included Billie Eilish, Gracie Abrams, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Stevie Nicks, as well as the surviving members of Nirvana.

The estimated $100m raised includes ticket sales for both venues, sponsorships led by presenting partners Kaiser Permanente and Scopely, merchandise sales, and donations from the public including private gifts from the Azoff family, the Eagles, Andrew Hauptman and Ellen Bronfman Hauptman and U2. Intuit Dome owner Steve Ballmer and Connie Ballmer continue to match all pledges received from broadcast.

The Inuit Dome is the home venue of NBA franchise LA Clippers, who served as operating partner for the event and underwrote all production expenses.

The first phase of funds will be fully distributed by the end of February, with phase two funding then set to focus on additional relief needs including sustaining long-term recovery, remediation and rebuilding, and further address environmental issues.

“Survivors of prior megafires and experts with whom FireAid consulted emphasised how crucial it is to reserve funds for unanticipated needs raised by communities, and to be both responsive and flexible, in planning for all phases of recovery,” adds the statement.

A non-profit organisation, FireAid has also established a programme for the issuance of smaller grants available to community-based groups, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

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The FireAid benefit concerts are expected to have raised more than US$100 million (€96m) for the Los Angeles wildfire relief effort, according to organisers.

Produced by the Azoff family in conjunction with Live Nation and AEG Presents, last Thursday night’s (30 January) near six-hour event was organised at just two weeks’ notice in the wake of one of the largest natural disasters in US history.

The shows featured performances from more than 30 artists at two LA venues – Intuit Dome (cap. 18,000) and Kia Forum (17,500) – and were watched by more than 50 million viewers across 28 streaming platforms.

Acts included Billie Eilish, Gracie Abrams, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Stevie Nicks, as well as the surviving members of Nirvana.

The estimated amount raised includes ticket sales for both venues, sponsorships, merchandise sales and donations from the public

The estimated amount raised includes ticket sales for both venues, sponsorships, merchandise sales and donations from the public including private gifts from the Azoff family, the Eagles, Andrew Hauptman and Ellen Bronfman Hauptman and U2.

Intuit Dome owner Steve Ballmer also pledged to match every donation received during the broadcast and VOD viewing. The fundraiser was broadcast and streamed live on Apple Music and the Apple TV app, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix/Tudom, Paramount+, Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM, Spotify, SoundCloud, Veeps, and YouTube, and at select AMC Theatre locations in 70 US markets.

At least 29 people have been killed as a result of the January 2025 blazes, which have destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.

The FireAid Grants Advisory Committee, led by the Annenberg Foundation, have been working to identify key areas of need for maximum impact, with the first phase of grants expected to be awarded by mid-February.

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A surprise Nirvana reunion and performances by an array of other A-listers put the seal on last night’s epic, star-studded FireAid charity gigs in Los Angeles.

Produced by the Azoff family in conjunction with Live Nation and AEG Presents, the near six-hour event was organised at just two weeks’ notice to raise funds for the LA wildfire relief effort, in the wake of one of the largest natural disasters in US history.

At least 29 people have been killed as a result of the January 2025 blazes, which have destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.

Speaking before the two-venue benefit, FireAid co-organiser Irving Azoff said he hoped the concerts – held at the city’s Intuit Dome (cap. 18,000) and Kia Forum (17,500) – would raise upwards of $50 million to rebuild communities devastated by the wildfires and supporting efforts to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California.

The event started at 6pm PST at the Kia Forum and 7.30pm at the Intuit Dome.

Actor Billy Crystal, who lost his Pacific Palisades home in the fires, opened the show by explaining that Intuit Dome owner Steve Ballmer would match every donation received, including the $1 million pledged by the night’s first donors, U2.

Billie Eilish, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Tate McRae performed at Intuit Dome, while Alanis Morissette, Anderson. Paak, Dave Matthews and John Mayer, Dawes, Graham Nash, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks and The Black Crowes appeared at the Kia Forum.

Nirvana surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear reunited, fronted by a lineup of female guest vocalists

One of the evening’s most talked-about moments saw Nirvana surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear reunite, fronted by a lineup of female guest vocalists – St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett and Grohl’s daughter Violet –who sang the band’s Breed, School, Territorial Pissings and All Apologies, respectively.

Another highlight included Eilish duetting on stage with Green Day, while Joni Mitchell delivered a rare performance, singing Both Sides Now while sat on a gold throne.

“Mitchell’s observation that ‘something’s lost but something’s gained in living every day’ was met with a huge cheer,” wrote the Telegraph‘s James Hall. “It felt like a dose of regal perspective from one of the all-time greats. The song was recorded in LA. And this is where this concert was most effective. The host of songs recorded in, or written about, LA reminded us about the place’s musical pedigree and what could all too easily be lost.”

The fundraiser was broadcast and streamed live on Apple Music and the Apple TV app, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix/Tudom, Paramount+, Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM, Spotify, SoundCloud, Veeps, and YouTube, and at select AMC Theatre locations in 70 US markets.

“When widespread devastation creates uncertainty and suffering, maybe the sound of massive stars delivering deeply beloved songs can provide comfort and consolation,” said Chris Richards of the Washington Post. “The livestream didn’t resemble a telethon so much as a transmission from the tower of song in which lyrics chiseled in stone suddenly felt like they were freshly inked for this occasion.”

Lady Gaga, meanwhile, closed the event by debuting a new track, All I Need is Time, written especially for the occasion with her fiance Michael Polansky.

“By the end of the night, it was lost how much money was raised; gone are the Jerry Lewis telethon days when a ticker showed the numbers climbing higher and higher,” concluded the Guardian‘s Rob LeDonne. “Perhaps the number was so big it could have discouraged additional donations. Regardless of the figure, FireAid proved the power of music and how a just cause can bring together polar opposites. If anything, here’s hoping it’s a harbinger for the future.”

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FireAid co-organiser Irving Azoff says he hopes the Los Angeles wildfire benefit will raise upwards of $50 million after the full lineups for the 30 January charity concerts were confirmed.

Billie Eilish, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Sting and Tate McRae will perform at Intuit Dome (cap. 18,000).

Meanwhile, Alanis Morissette, Anderson. Paak, Dave Matthews and John Mayer, Dawes, Graham Nash, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks and The Black Crowes will appear at the 17,500-cap Kia Forum.

The one-night-only event is being produced by the Azoff family in conjunction with Live Nation and AEG Presents.

“As soon as we understood the magnitude of the problem, the family, kids, Shelli [Azoff, wife] and I started talking about what we could do,” Irving Azoff tells Hits Daily Double. “Shelli said, we really need to do a show. Shelli and I spoke with Gillian Zucker, who’s the president of business operations for [NBA team and Intuit Dome tenant] the Clippers and is a close friend.

“We kind of had the idea to do a show at the same time, and she said, ‘Of course you can have Intuit.'”

One of the largest natural disasters in US history, at least 28 people have been killed as a result of the devastating blazes in LA, which have destroyed thousands of homes and business since igniting on 7 January. FireAid will raise money for rebuilding communities devastated by the wildfires and supporting efforts to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California.

“We want people to give money for the joy of the music and the joy of the rebuild”

“As the outpouring of volunteers to perform became clear, we expanded to the second building,” continues Azoff. “We couldn’t possibly have gotten everybody on and off the stage in one night at Intuit. And that’s when we came up with the idea of adding the Forum as well.”

Tickets for both concerts go on sale today (22 January) at noon PT, through Ticketmaster, starting at $99 (€95). All proceeds will go to the relief efforts, with all venue and ticketing service fees waived. The event will start at 6pm at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome will begin at 7:30 p.m.

In an effort to ensure people can experience as much of the show as possible, fans who buy tickets for Intuit Dome will be able to view the Kia Forum gig, when it begins, on screens inside the Intuit Dome. Conversely, when the Kia Forum show ends, fans inside will be able to view the acts at Intuit Dome, on screens at the Kia Forum, until the end of the event.

Azoff considers it feasible for the shows to raise “north of $50m”.

“Currently, the most significant portion of the money we’re raising is from sponsors,” he adds. “We have suites at Intuit, and no suites at the Forum, so we’re able to generate massive corporate donations at Intuit.

“We have no idea if people sitting at home are going to donate. We don’t know if anybody outside of California gives a shit. So we needed the two live gates, and we didn’t want to make it feel like a radio show, right? We couldn’t book everybody who wanted to perform.

“We don’t really want it to be a big, somber moment. This is about the spirit of LA. and how music heals… We want people to give money for the joy of the music and the joy of the rebuild.”

“Crew Nation is continuing its core mission of helping this hardworking community through unforeseen hardship”

The fundraiser will be broadcast and streamed live on Apple Music and the Apple TV app, Max, iHeartRadio, KTLA+, Netflix/Tudom, Paramount+, Prime Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch, SiriusXM, Spotify, SoundCloud, Veeps, and YouTube, and at select AMC Theatre locations in 70 US markets.

Last week, Live Nation’s Crew Nation Global Relief Fund announced it is committing $1 million to assist performing musicians, live music crew and live music industry workers affected by the recent wildfires.

Crew Nation has opened applications for grants up to $5,000 for individuals currently employed within the industry facing displacement expenses due to mandatory evacuation orders, damage, or loss. Those seeking support can apply for Crew Nation Fund grants here.

“LA is home to so many who help make live music possible, and Crew Nation is continuing its core mission of helping this hardworking community through unforeseen hardship,” says Live Nation president and CEO Michael Rapino.

Separately, Live Nation is also supporting impacted employees from its Los Angeles headquarters with direct relief through its Taking Care of Our Own programme.

In addition, the co-founders of hip-hop festival Rolling Loud raised $25,000 for the LA Wildfires Relief Fund from a benefit concert held at Kemistry Nightclub in Fort Lauderdale on 20 January, headlined by Ski Mask The Slump God.

Meanwhile, the 2025 edition of annual live entertainment conference Pollstar Live!, which was scheduled for the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles from 18-20 February, has been postponed to 15-17 April to focus on the rebuilding efforts.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Los Angeles as they deal with the ongoing devastating wildfires and the long recovery ahead,” says Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke. “LA was home to Oak View Group, parent company of Pollstar, for the last decade, and many of our colleagues and music industry partners have been deeply and personally affected by this tragedy.

“Right now, Oak View Group is focused on the immediate needs of the community and raising funds in support of FireAid.”

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In the wake of Los Angeles’ devastating wildfires, Live Nation and AEG Presents have joined forces with the Azoff family to hold a benefit concert, FireAid.

Set for 30 January at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome (cap. 18,000), the “evening of music and solidarity” will raise money to support rebuilding affected communities and efforts to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California.

Performers and ticket information will be announced in the coming days. Proceeds from the concert will go towards a charity created for this event. The benefit concert will precede the 67th Grammy Awards, set for 2 February at Crypto.com Arena (20,000).

More than 150,000 people have been evacuated as more than 40,000 acres have been burned and 12,000 structures have been destroyed across LA, per NPR. The economic damage could top $50 billion and may rank as one of the most costly natural disasters in US history, according to the Los Angeles Times. At least 24 people have been killed.

The music industry has been hit hard by the ongoing crisis, with countless professionals, technicians, and artists impacted.

A document is circulating with more than 210 individuals and families who have lost their homes, featuring links to financially support them.

“The music community is being so severely impacted but we will come together as an industry to support one another”

In response, the industry is banding together to raise money for those affected.

The Recording Academy and its welfare charity MusiCares have pledged $1 million to support music professionals impacted by the fires through its Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort.

“The entire Grammy family is shocked and deeply saddened by the situation that is unfolding in Los Angeles,” Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares, said in a statement. “The music community is being so severely impacted but we will come together as an industry to support one another. Our organizations exist to serve music people … and we hope the broader industry will now rally to this cause.”

MusiCares is offering $1,500 in financial assistance and a $500 grocery card to affected music professionals working in the industry for over three years, intended to cover short-term costs.

“MusiCares disaster relief is intended to cover short-term costs, should you incur costs from evacuating (hotel, food, supplies). MusiCares is also able to provide additional support for individuals with considerable impact, including medical issues, damaged music equipment or longer-term relocation needs,” shares the charity.

Beyoncé is donating $2.5 million toward an LA fire relief fund started by her charity, BeyGOOD.

“The fund is earmarked to aid families in the Altadena/Pasadena area who lost their homes, and to churches and community centres to address the immediate needs of those affected by the wildfires,” the organisation announced today.

Multiple organisations are offering direct relief for musicians and music industry professionals, including the Black Music Action Coalition, the Entertainment Community Fund, mental health non-profit Backline, the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, the Guitar Center Music Foundation, Warner Music’s Social Justice Fund, The 100 Percenters, and others. Billboard is actively compiling a list of available resources.

“Give to people who really truly need it”

Shelby Schenkman, a creators agent at United Talent Agency, is fundraising through The UTA Foundation to purchase clothes and essential items for affected colleagues and external community members. The effort has raised over US$7,500 to date.

Meanwhile, Charli XCX took to social media to urge brands to “give to people who really truly need it”, while American-Mexican band Fuerza Regida rented out a hotel for six days to provide shelter to those displaced.

Arenas around the city have cleared their music schedules for the month, with sporting programming also facing disruptions.

Last week, LA radio station ALT 98.7 cancelled the iHeartRadio ALTer EGO festival, which was set to return to Inglewood’s Kia Forum (cap. 17,505) last Saturday (11 January). Incubus, The Lumineers, Cage The Elephant, Glass Animals, The Offspring, St. Vincent, Fontaines D.C., The Head and the Heart, and Damiano David were all set to perform.

Kia Forum’s next scheduled concert is set for 1 February with K-pop group aespa.

Following FireAid, Intuit Dome’s next concert is on 22 February with Mexican band Los Tucanes De Tijuana. The arena cancelled a show with rapper Rod Wave last Wednesday (8 January).

A cancellation has not yet been announced for Calibash, the area’s “biggest Latin pop concert of the year,” set for this Saturday (18 January) at Crypto.com Arena. Maluma, Wisin, Xavi, Manuel Turizo, Emilia, and more are set to perform.

No music programming is scheduled for SoFi Stadium (70,000). The NFL announced the playoff game will move to Arizona’s State Farm Stadium (63,400) tonight (13 January).

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A series of events have been cancelled or postponed as Los Angeles grapples with widespread wildfires.

Five major wildfires continue to burn across LA, fuelled by strong winds, becoming “the most destructive ever to hit Los Angeles County,” reports CNN. At least five people have been killed, with more than 100,000 residents ordered to evacuate.

LA radio station ALT 98.7 has cancelled the iHeartRadio ALTer EGO festival, which was set to return to Inglewood’s Kia Forum (cap. 17,505) on Saturday, 11 January.

Incubus, The Lumineers, Cage The Elephant, Glass Animals, The Offspring, St. Vincent, Fontaines D.C., The Head and the Heart, and Damiano David were all set to perform.

“It is with heavy hearts that we report that we will be cancelling our ALTer Ego show this Saturday at the KIA Forum. The devastation from the fires is beyond comprehension. Our thoughts are with the Los Angeles community and listeners who have been affected by this tragedy. We also want to recognize and thank all the first responders. We love our city and are putting health and safety first,” the organisers wrote online.

Inglewood’s newest venue, the 18,000-capacity Intiut Dome, also cancelled a show with rapper Rod Wave last night (Wednesday).

“The health and safety of our fans and employees will remain the top priority,” wrote arena representatives.

“Our hearts are with all the members of our community who are impacted by the fires”

Two major festivals have also postponed ticket sales for their upcoming events. Both Rolling Loud, which recently downsized to 15-16 March at Inglewood’s Hollywood Park (75,000), and electronic dance festival Beyond Wonderland, scheduled for 28-29 March at San Bernardino’s NOS Event Center (65,000), have delayed sales until further notice.

In addition to large-scale shows, theatre-level performances have also been rearranged.

The LA Philharmonic Orchestra has postponed or cancelled all shows through the weekend, pushing pianist Igor Levit and singer-songwriter Cody Fry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall (2,265) performances to a later date. Three orchestral performances featuring works from Schumann & Brahms have been cancelled.

“Our hearts are with all the members of our community who are impacted by the fires, and our immense gratitude goes out to all the firefighters and first responders. Please stay safe,” says the LA Phil in their cancellation.

Other iconic venues like The Hollywood Palladium (4,000), The Fonda Theatre (1,200), and The Roxy Theatre (500) all have programming through the weekend that has not been publicly cancelled, while other spaces like The Hollywood Bowl (17,500), The Greek Theatre (5,900), and the El Rey Theatre (771) have no performances set for the near future.

While SoFi Stadium (70,000) has no music-related events, the NFL announced a playoff game set for next Monday will go on, with a contingency plan to move the matchup to Arizona’s State Farm Stadium (63,400) in place. Crypto.com Arena (20,000) is also rescheduling basketball games.

Thousands of acres and hundreds of homes have been destroyed since the blaze began on Tuesday, which is rapidly growing as a result of “dry, hurricane-force winds”, per Reuters. Fires continue to burn across the Palisades, Hollywood Hills, Pasadena, San Fernando Valley, and the Angeles National Forest.

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The Intuit Dome in Los Angeles has announced that Bruno Mars will be the first artist to perform in the arena – the new home of the LA Clippers basketball franchise, as well as the city’s latest state-of-the-art concert venue.

Mars will take to the stage at the 18,000-cap venue on 15 and 16 August, with arena operators promising that the new building will offer “fans and performers alike an unforgettable experience featuring the venue’s premium acoustics, back of house artist offerings, and intimate seating.”

The construction of the US$2 billion arena has been mired in controversy and lawsuits, after the Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) accused Inglewood mayor James Butts of colluding with the Clippers to secretly acquire a plot of land from MSG for the venue.

However, those claims were dropped when the billionaire owner of the basketball team, former Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer, paid US$400 million in cash to acquire the Forum venue from MSG.

“Bruno, who has a strong connection to Inglewood, will undoubtedly deliver an iconic performance that is worthy of this moment, and will leave a lasting impression on everyone who attends these two shows”

Gillian Zucker, CEO of Ballmer’s Halo Sports and Entertainment operation comments, “We are thrilled Bruno Mars will open Intuit Dome. Bruno, who has a strong connection to Inglewood, will undoubtedly deliver an iconic performance that is worthy of this moment, and will leave a lasting impression on everyone who attends these two shows.”

While the venue is still under construction, its owners say it will offer world-class amenities, and a commitment to fan satisfaction, claiming that Intuit Dome will set a new standard for music and sports venues.

Fans will enjoy an intimate viewing experience with their seats hovering over the floor, bringing them closer to the show. The premium seating is designed to reduce the gap between sections, ensuring a seamless and uninterrupted viewing experience.

Intuit Dome will also feature an 80,000-square-foot outdoor Plaza, housing a 5,000-square-foot retail store and three bars and restaurants. “The Plaza’s LED screen, the largest outdoor 4K LED screen in Los Angeles, will serve as the backdrop for community events, artist activations, and viewing parties – forever changing the pre-game and pre-show scene,” says the company.

Tickets for both Bruno Mars dates go on sale Thursday, April 11 at 10am local time via ticketmaster.com.

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