CNN
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An impressive lineup of musicians is coming together for a good cause on Thursday evening.
Two concerts collectively being referred to as FireAid kicked off at the Kia Forum and the Intuit Dome in the Los Angeles city of Inglewood to support relief efforts in the wake of the deadly wildfires that ignited earlier this month in the LA area, claiming 29 lives and causing billions of dollars in damage.
Green Day opened the show with their song “Last Night on Earth,” featuring a surprise appearance by Billie Eilish, and then followed up with their anthem “Still Breathing” off their 2016 album “Revolution Radio” and their 1994 hit “When I Come Around” from “Dookie.”
After Green Day’s performance, Billy Crystal – who said he lost his Pacific Palisades home of 46 years in the Palisades Fire – welcomed the audience, and announced that U2 had just made a $1 million donation.
Crystal said that he was wearing the same outfit that he wore the night he had to evacuate from his home on stage, and spoke about the heartache he felt after losing his home and the memories attached to it. But, Crystal said, reassuringly, “It will be ok. With your help around the country and here in the room, we’ll laugh again. We’re going to listen to music again and we will be ok.”
Samuel L. Jackson welcomed the crowd at the Intuit Dome once that concert got going, energetically thanking the first responders who were in the audience for the show. “We love our firefighters and we need to help them right now,” he said. Jackson then introduced Sir Rod Stewart, who started his set with his hit “Forever Young.”
The shows are raising money “for rebuilding communities devastated by wildfires and supporting efforts to prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California,” according to a news release.
Among the artists who are performing at the concerts are native Angelenos Eilish, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Gracie Abrams.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are performing at the Kia Forum, along with Alanis Morissette, Pink, No Doubt, Joni Mitchell, The Black Crowes, Stephen Stills, John Mayer and Stevie Nicks. Dr. Dre and Sheila E. were surprise performers who took the stage alongside Anderson. Paak.
The second concert’s lineup is also packed with feature Eilish, Abrams, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Earth, Wind & Fire, Jelly Roll, Lil Baby, Olivia Rodrigo, Peso Pluma, Rod Stewart, Sting, Tate McRae and Stevie Wonder.
Viewers around the world can watch, stream and make contributions to FireAid on platforms including Apple Music, Apple TV, Max, Peacock, KTLA+, Netflix/Tudum, Paramount+, Prime Video and more, beginning at 6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET on Thursday. The concert will also be broadcast on 860 iHeartRadio radio stations.
Those wishing to donate on Thursday can visit fireaidla.org or text (310) 359-0579 for a donation link.
Contributions will be distributed under the advisement of the Annenberg Foundation, which will “help coordinate a team to direct funds for the greatest impact” and provide “short-term relief efforts and long-term initiatives to prevent future fire disasters,” a news release said.
According to the FireAid website, every donation made during the live stream on Thursday night will be matched dollar for dollar.
CNN’s Lisa Respers France contributed to this report.
