Billed as an ‘evening of music and solidarity’, the FireAid Benefit Concert – hosted by the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum on 30 January – saw 35 artists perform in a live broadcast that helped to raise millions for wildfire recovery efforts.
Organised by the Annenberg Foundation, as the event began, $2m were raised thanks to a $1 million donation from Irish rock band U2 matched in contribution by Clippers Organization and Intuit Dome ownership Steve and Connie Ballmer. At the time of press, an estimated $100 million has been raised, with funds allocated to the rebuilding of LA communities and wildfire prevention methods.
Clair Global’s team was led by Meegan Holmes, General Manager of Clair’s Sun Valley, CA location. Clair, together with group brands Eighth Day Sound and Sound Image supported client rehearsals for Billie Eilish, Jelly Roll, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Katy Perry, Sting, Olivia Rodrigo, Lady Gaga, Stevie Nicks, Green Day, P!nk, John Fogerty plus many more, while ATK prepped and deployed a donated d&b audiotechnik KSL PA system to the Kia Forum, where the remaining members of Nirvana made a monumental surprise appearance.
This immense gathering of artists, live production experts, stars of screen, local philanthropists and music fans was a personal project for Meegan as her family were among the 100,000 people displaced for weeks during the emergency evacuation.
“Personally speaking, it’s been a very challenging and difficult thing to be so close to,” she began. “But we’ve witnessed some beautiful moments as well, astonishing generosity, support and volunteerism from the people of LA. The donation drives and the mobilization of people has been very powerful.”
She further explains how the Greater Los Angeles area and the professional live music community, came together: “It’s been amazing to watch a group of people who would normally spend months planning a show this big, pull it all together in such a short time frame. We’re talking a couple of weeks with some huge names, not in one, but in two iconic venues. It was so impressive, and we really wanted to do our bit to help. There was an experienced and willing production team who wanted to assist this cause, with so many donations of services.
“That’s the thing about our industry; support is unwavering. Music can truly bring people together; it has power in times of crisis and these were very special, emotive performances. And of course, we’re grateful for the people, the ones that buy concert tickets throughout the year, and didn’t hesitate to buy tickets for FireAid. They fuel our industry and always enable us to step up when there needs to be a big fundraising push. That’s something I’ll remember from this moment in time.”
Clair Global site crew comprised System Engineer Grant Cropley and PA Techs Malcolm Whitney-Secright, Kenneth Teaster II, Bryce Marshall and Zachary Hensley.
