U2 KICKED OFF the massive FireAid benefit concert that is raising money for Los Angeles-area wildfire relief efforts by giving the first big donation of the night – $1 million (€960,000).

While U2 were not among the musical acts that are performing, they wowed the audience with the donation.

Comedian and actor Billy Crystal, who hosted the event, noted that U2’s million-dollar pledge is worth twice that amount because Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie have pledged to match all donations made during the live broadcast.

FireAid was a two-venue concert extravaganza that happened in LA last night and was held at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum, which are less than two miles apart.

Green Day got the massive benefit concert underway last night at the Kia Forum with their song Last Night on Earth at the Kia Forum.

The band were soon joined on stage by Billie Eilish for the first surprise of the night.

Billie Eilish joined Green Day at FireAid to perform "Last Night on Earth." pic.twitter.com/lmvo9MJAhT

— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) January 31, 2025

The lyrics to this song that kickstarted the concert are surprisingly astute: “If I lose everything in the fire / I’m sending all my love to you.”

After their first song, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong told the crowd that “we’re all in this together”.

And after their set, Armstrong hugged host Billy Crystal, who was there to welcome the crowd at the Kia Forum.

“Our goal is simple tonight, to spend more money than the Dodgers spent on free agents,” he joked.

Crystal said he was wearing the clothes he had on when he evacuated.

He lost his home in the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood where he had lived for 46 years.

The surviving members of Nirvana also made a surprise reunion.

It wasn’t part of the official billing at the Kia Forum and Dave Grohl’s 18-year-old daughter, Violet Grohl, wrapped up their set with a rendition of ‘All Apologies’.

Dave Grohl's daughter Violet sings lead, as Kim Gordon plays bass with the surviving members of Nirvana to perform "All Apologies" at the FireAid benefit concert in Los Angeles pic.twitter.com/PdQOhFAAcg

— B-Sides (@BSidesTV) January 31, 2025

The first true-blue Los Angeles moment came from a surprise performance by Dr Dre.

He performed Still D.R.E. with Anderson .Paak and Sheila E, before pivoting to Tupac and Dre’s classic hit California Love.

Dr Dre takes the stage with Anderson .Paak at #FireAidLA pic.twitter.com/fiVe8lHHWY

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 31, 2025

It was followed by the figurehead of Laurel Canyon folk, a moving set of Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell.

An hour and a half after Green Day, the show launched at the nearby Intuit Dome with presenter Samuel L Jackson, an Altadena firefighter who lost his home while fighting to save others, and Rod Stewart.

“Here’s a new song. Not!” joked Stewart before launching into Maggie May.

Pink did a stripped-down version of What About Us, Melissa Etheridge’s Me and Bobby McGee and Led Zeppelin’s Babe I’m Gonna Leave You.

Other performers include Katie Perry, Olivia Rodrigo, Steve Wonder, Alanis Morissette, Joni Mithcell, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Stevie Nicks.

Gwen Stefani’s No Doubt also reunited for the benefit concert.

No Doubt reunites and performs "Just A Girl" for the FireAid benefit concert in LA pic.twitter.com/cw0YC5JISX

— B-Sides (@BSidesTV) January 31, 2025

Former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris was among those in attendance with her husband, Doug Emhoff.

In a post on X, Harris said that “Angelenos will continue to stand together to support those impacted by the wildfires and show gratitude for the first responders who help keep our communities safe”.

Thank you to the artists who gathered tonight in Los Angeles for the FireAid Concert. Angelenos will continue to stand together to support those impacted by the wildfires and show gratitude for the first responders who help keep our communities safe.https://t.co/AeAfLU0IgX https://t.co/KYf7GV7eNh

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 31, 2025

Behind the performers, images of firefighters and the devastation brought forth by the fires appeared on screen.

Between sets, survivors telling the stories of losing their homes were broadcast throughout the arena — both in person and in video packages.

The Williams family – four daughters and their mother – took the stage and discussed losing four homes in Altadena, California.

They then introduced the folk-rock band Dawes, who were also directly affected by the Eaton fire.

Dawes’ Taylor Goldsmith lost a portion of the Altadena house he shares with actor-singer Mandy Moore, and his home recording studio and instruments were destroyed.

Goldsmith’s brother and bandmate, Griffin Goldsmith, and his pregnant wife also lost their home in the fire.

The Los Angeles resident and his daughter wore black T-shirts with First Responders written across their chests.

“I hope some of the firefighters who are able to attend can come and decompress a little,” Jones said.

“They needed it. I’m supportive of what they have done for this city.”