Hello Rams! Welcome back to Concert Capsule, where you live the music through the writing. For this next issue, I will be recapping the FireAidLA concert.
FireAidLa is a benefit concert put together with the sole intention of providing both short-term and long-term financial assistance to those impacted by the tragic Los Angeles County fires. Set to raise money via ticket sales and a planned live-telecast that would be broadcasted on stream-service staples, 27 Los Angeles native musicians were set to perform for the cause. Due to the demand of artists wanting to volunteer their time, FireAid expanded the show, dividing the 27 musicians to perform either at the Kia Forum or the Intuit Dome.
Factoring the Kia Forum’s alternative-rock themed artist line-up, I ultimately chose to attend the contemporary-pop appointed Intuit Dome show. This was a no-brainer for me: the idea of a lineup that included my all-time favorite musicians, household legends I never imagined I would witness sing live, and most importantly, 100% of my ticket proceeds would be going to a greater cause. It was my destiny to ensure the Intuit Dome had a seat with my name on it.
An opening set of old-time classics “Forever Young” and “Maggie May,” two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Robert Stewart was first up to bat. To see 80-year-old Stewart be a firecracker on that stage made me think of my grandparents, reminding me that inside the years of wisdom lies…a party animal! Stewart, continuing to face the crowds in the present day of 2025 with overflowing levels of verve taught me that you will never be too old to have a good time.
After Stewart wrapped up, the iconic actor and screenwriter Quinta Brunson took to stage to introduce the illustrious Earth, Wind, & Fire. The acclaimed duo’s setlist included “That’s the Way of the World,” “Shining Star,” and “September,” every single track being a timeless feat. Seeing this duo meant the world to me; Ranging from movies to the radio, these songs have been in my life the millisecond my eardrums developed as a baby. Carrying on the memory of seeing the both of them in concert is an event I will never quit reminiscing over. Admittedly, I wish they sang my groovy anthem “Boogie Wonderland,” but they still kept my feet off the ground for their entire set.
I love Gracie Abrams, and I’m not sorry! Abrams was next on the rotation. I have been following Abrams’ career since she first picked up the mic in 2019, and I wholeheartedly believe she is one of the most promising acts of the 21st century. I had the gift of meeting Abrams at her debut album’s record signing that took place at Long Beach’s infamous record store, Fingerprints, and considering the fact she’s now performing in 20,000 capacity arenas, the CD she signed for me is coming with me to the grave. So, as you could tell, screaming the voyaging bridge of “I Love You, I’m Sorry” would be a pinnacle of the night, even making me lose my voice before half the acts took to stage.
Accompanying Abrams was historic music producer Aaron Desner on guitar. Desner is a figure in the music industry I find so pivotal, graphing melodic puzzle pieces for music legends such as Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Sharon Van Etten. To me, being in his presence was breathing the same air as music royalty.
Pop-princess Tate McRae followed up, known for her vigorously energetic choreographed numbers, she kept it subtle this time around for an acoustic performance of “you broke me first” and a cover of “Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House. McRae is an all-star; I have seen her in concert prior, and it proved to me she has mastered the art of dance to an exceptional extent. Now, hearing how elegant her vocals sound in such a raw production truly demonstrated how multifaceted she is as a musician.
She’s unforgettable! Katy Perry was next, opening her set with the Pasadena Chorale to perform “Rise,” an inspirational deep-cut about rising above adversity, prevailing despite challenges that attempt to bring you down. After the teary-eyed lullaby, she set the arena ablaze with her pop-classics “Roar” and “California Gurls.” Confidently, Perry takes the trophy for my favorite set of the night. To pact both vulnerability and exuberance in a three-song-set is a lesson to how sometimes, the remedy to our despair is simply—dancing it away.
Olivia Rodrigo was the following act, performing two hits off of her debut album, “drivers license” and “deja vu.” Yes—I do get deja vu, I attended Rodrigo’s Guts World Tour, which you can read my detailed review here. As usual, Rodrigo rocked the stage out, in my opinion causing the loudest crowd reaction I had heard the entire night. With each time I see Rodrigo perform, I further grasp her ability to engage and connect with a crowd, an expertise of hers I have no choice but to commend.
Man, isn’t she the greatest? Iconic duo Billie Eilish and her brother FINNEAS positioned themselves next to perform an acoustic set of WILDFLOWER, THE GREATEST, and BIRDS OF A FEATHER. Normally, Eilish performs these songs with intense lighting configurations and visual effects that appear as if they were from the future. Removing the fluff and stripping these grievous ballads down to their core was melancholically beautiful.
Lady Gaga closed the night off with “Shallow,” “Always Remember Us This Way,” and a live debut of “Time Is A Healer,” a song about the Los Angeles County fires that she wrote for the FireAidLA concert. Gaga is a jack of many trades, a dancer, a writer, but in my opinion, her number one attribute will always be a vocalist. With only a piano, the voice of an angel, and a brand new haircut, Gaga poured her heart out onto the audience. To go as far as writing a song about processing emotion for this once in a lifetime event not only shows Gaga’s condolences to the tragedy, but a greater wisdom; the medicine to healing is time.
FireAidLa is a memory I will share with my kids, the night that Los Angeles County unified to mourn, uphold, and rebuild the homes that were incinerated. Though I only reviewed my personal highlights of the show, this concert was nothing but a talent showcase, ranging from all genres of music. Over $100 million dollars were raised from the event, a testament to what we can accomplish when we band together. Until next time, FireAidLa.
