Latest World Breaking News Online News Portal
Billie Eilish and Green Day kicked off the FireAid benefit concert in Los Angeles on Thursday night – a two-venue, five-hour extravaganza raising money for wildfire relief efforts.
Actor Billy Crystal welcomed the crowd at the Kia Forum, wearing the clothes he had on when he escaped the Pacific Palisades fire earlier this month. He had lived in the area for 46 years and spoke poignantly about losing his home.
An hour and a half later, acts began taking to the state at the Intuit Dome too with the online broadcast switching seamlessly between the two venues.
A number of the stars who performed have ties to the region. California native Katy Perry waved the state’s flag during hits including the anthemic Roar and California Gurls, while No Doubt – from nearby Orange County – performed tracks including I’m Just A Girl and Don’t Speak.
Katy Perry sporting a LA Fire Dept. t-shirt. Pic: AP
One of the biggest surprises so far has been a reunion for another 90s act: Nirvana. Band members Pat Smear, Krist Novoselic and Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl performed with a series of guest female vocalists.
Their set started with St Vincent as the frontwoman, before Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon, Joan Jett and Grohl’s singer daughter Violet each joined them on stage.
Joan Jett performing with the three members of Nirvana. Pic: AP
Kim Gordon Pic: Reuters
Dr Dre also made a unexpected appearance alongside Anderson Paak and Sheila E, and covered Still DRE and the classic California Love.
Joni Mitchell, Pink, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Olivia Rodrigo are also among those who have performed so far, with the concert set to end after 8am UK time.
Joni Mitchell performs. Pic: AP
Other big names set to hit the stage include Stevie Wonder and Lady Gaga.
Behind the performers, images of firefighters and the devastation wrought by the fires appeared on screen. Survivors also spoke about losing their homes and escaping the fires in between sets.
Anderson .Paak performs during the FireAid benefit concert. Pic: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Former US vice president Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, are among those attending the Intuit Dome concert.
Mr Emhoff shared a picture of himself and his wife inside the Intuit Dome on Instagram, alongside the caption: “Kamala and I are grateful to be at the FireAid concert tonight in our hometown of Los Angeles.
“It is a wonderful night that shows the strength and resilience of our city as we begin to recover and rebuild from the devastating wildfires.”
More from Sky News:
Marianne Faithfull dies aged 78
Rihanna supports A$AP Rocky in court
Audiences at home can donate online. Early in the concert, Crystal revealed that the band U2 contributed $1m (£804,829).
The owner of the basketball team the Los Angeles Clippers, Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie, will match all donations made during the concert.
All proceeds will go to those affected by the devastating Los Angeles wildfires earlier in the month.
Some 29 people died in the fires, with thousands more homes and businesses destroyed.
