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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.”
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Pretty much a given considering we are in the depths of winter. This weather is normal, predictable and consistent. Have a wonderful day all.
@Marvin Dollery: like that song.. ohh the weather outside is…. weather.
@Marvin Dollery: Given that it is, as you say, predictable isn’t it nice of Met Eireann to share their predictions?
@Marvin Dollery: nobody else is afraid of these stories Marvin, no need to share your coping mechanisms.
@Setanta O’Toole: Except for the kids your lot torment with constant climate change catastrophe dialogue despite it not ever going to happen. Maybe think before posting ridiculous comments.
@Marvin Dollery: never talked to anyone about climate change in my life Marv, you are just projecting.
@Marvin Dollery: mystic Marvin and the old Moore’s almanac all rolled into one
@Pork Hunt: if his climate change predictions are anything like his election ones, we better brace for an imminent apocalypse.
Hopefully in the new year we will be allowed to comment on the stories that matter, like long con vid article.
@087 bed: I know someone who died of long covid recently, so it’s not a con you gimp
@Freda Peeple: Another insightful input from you, always one like you “that “knew a fell”, You need to up you’re game in 25.
@087 bed: Wrong, I was at his funeral at the end of November, 39 from Raheny, Google it you pr7ck
@Basildon Joe: Nope completely healthy so I think you should keep your “feelings” separate to facts. The likes of yourself, and that other illiterate monkey hate facts.
@087 bed: or maybe mention the foreign looking Dublin bus driver who flattened an eight year old lad with a clatter
Happy new year new zealand
What a shock. Winter weather in Ireland. In the winter
@Marc Power: A comment like yours. What a shock.
The UN must begin the legal process to expel the US from it’s structures, and following a vote, to subsequently assemble an international military force to expel the Nazi Zionist regime from Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.
@Denis Harkin: Yes very hard to think of a happy new year with the US killing children in Gaza.
Is it still ok to hate the weather?
How many newborns in Ireland tomorrow, will be Irish, I ponder
@Liam Boyne: Considering they’re born in Ireland, I’d say100%….?
@Athena: I think you missed completely what I was implying
And still no response from the journal as to what good are them unlicensed Joe brollies are in their pic accompanying the story to people in the wind n rain apart from been a nuisance to other footpaths users where the spokes can take one’s eye out
I hope to see mass deportation of several families, in the new year
This year has thrown everything at us weather wise, bring it on..
@Jamie Hinch: Weren’t you on here saying the last bout of windy weather was akin to a hurricane? It didn’t lift as much as a lid of a bin here in an area that was said to be most affected.
@Marvin Dollery: Houses lost their roofs in City and surrounds duringthat storm/hurricane. That was not just windy that night FYI.
@Jamie Hinch: It was a windy night, also called a storm. Magnitudes different to a hurricane.
Hopefully, Israel will flatten Palestine for good
Lovely day here in Gstaad.
Should really restrict hospital visits and take measures to reduce spread of flu and Covid.
In 2025, that disgusting Hamas flag, needs to be removed from Leinster House, it’s a pity that this country has absolutely no opposition in the Dail, so depressing
Some ar*ehole of a country weatherwise
@Tim Brennan: and politically
Jeez Kerry and Cork really get the worst weather
Looks like the little coksucker Brenny mobilised all his multiple accounts to thumbs up to generate favour because his bosses said so, what a rag The Journal.ie is, a lefty rag, nobody take it seriously
Will Brenny be bringing out his Michael Collins account tonight lol
have your say