Soundtrack of Recovery: The Music Industry Unites for Los Angeles Fire Relief
by Savannah Bowie | January 26th, 2025
On January 7th, 2025, Los Angeles, California, was hit by some of the most devastating fires on record affecting more than 200,000 people, and destroying homes and businesses. Home to diverse communities like the historic Altadena neighborhood, and known for its art, culture, and entertainment, the people of Los Angeles (Angelenos) have come together, displaying unity and resilience, to help rebuild the city and give back to those who lost everything.
In the wake of the LA fires, the music industry has also come together to put on numerous fire relief benefit shows across the city to raise money for families, nonprofit organizations, and initiatives for fire prevention. Artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, and Doja Cat have all made meaningful donations and encouraged fans to do the same, showcasing music’s ability to bring people together in tough times.
Several benefit concerts will be taking place in the coming days and weeks. The For Los Angeles concert, scheduled for January 28th at the Lodge Room, will feature performances by Madi Diaz and Stephen Sanchez. The LA Gives Back relief show is set for the 29th at the Bellwether, with the lineup to be announced on January 27th. Additionally, the FireAid benefit concert, in partnership with the Annenberg Foundation, will take place on January 30th at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum, featuring artists like Billie Eilish, Gracie Abrams, P!nk, and more. These performances will be broadcast at select AMC theatres, Apple Music and TV, Max, iHeartRadio, and other platforms.
The response and support from the music industry have been overwhelming, with record labels, streaming platforms, and artists rallying to bring the Los Angeles community together. Over 300 music industry professionals have lost their homes or places of work due to the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires like Mandy Moore and Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Maupin. Organizations like the Recording Academy’s MusiCares have provided short-term disaster relief to music professionals; the Songwriters of North American Foundation (SONA) provided emergency grants to songwriters and composers, while Guitar Center helped musicians replace lost instruments.
Whether you’re local to Los Angeles or not, several organizations are accepting donations. These include the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Altadena Girls, Pasadena Humane Society—which is also seeking fosters—the Wildfire Recovery Fund, and GoFundMe’s for families. For those in Los Angeles, you can go to L.A. Works to find volunteer opportunities.
In times like these, it’s more important than ever to spread love and compassion. Music has the power to heal, unite, and inspire action within people. Every contribution, small or big, helps Los Angeles, a city that has given so much to us, recover and rebuild.
