Because nothing says “wildfire relief” like shirtless bass solos and classic rock anthems.
Los Angeles got a fiery sendoff (in a good way) when Red Hot Chili Peppers closed out the Kia Forum portion of the FireAid benefit concert on January 30. The hometown rock legends took the stage with a hit-packed, four-song set that reminded everyone why they’ve been L.A.’s unofficial rock ambassadors for decades. And in true RHCP fashion, Flea was nearly naked before the first bass note even hit.
A Setlist for the Ages
Introduced by the legendary Stevie Nicks (because why not add some extra rock royalty to the mix?), RHCP kicked things off with their 2006 smash “Dani California”, a song so ingrained in the fabric of rock radio that it’s probably still playing in at least three dive bars as you read this. Next up? The ultimate California anthem, “Californication”, which had the crowd feeling all the nostalgia while Flea’s bass lines rattled the Kia Forum.
The band then dipped even further into the vault with “Under the Bridge”, because no RHCP show is complete without a song that makes you want to simultaneously throw up a peace sign and cry into your beer. And just to prove they’ve still got it, they closed out with “Black Summer”, their 2022 hit that topped Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart—because yes, these guys are still cranking out #1s like it’s the ‘90s.
FireAid: An Insane Lineup for a Good Cause
RHCP weren’t the only rock gods in the building. The Kia Forum lineup was stacked with heavyweights like Anderson .Paak, Alanis Morissette, Dave Matthews & John Mayer, No Doubt, P!nk, The Black Crowes, and the great Joni Mitchell, because L.A. doesn’t do anything halfway. Meanwhile, across the street at the Intuit Dome, an equally mind-blowing roster—including Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Sting, Katy Perry, Olivia Rodrigo, and Stevie Wonder—was holding it down on a second FireAid stage.
With wildfires continuing to devastate parts of California, the event aimed to raise funds for Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts, and donations are still being accepted at fireaidla.org. Adding some serious cash to the cause, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer pledged to match every donation made during the concert. So, if you missed the show, now’s your chance to throw some money at a good cause—and possibly feel a little better about that expensive concert ticket you just bought for a band you’ve already seen three times.
Still Red Hot After All These Years
If one thing’s clear, it’s that the Red Hot Chili Peppers are never going to slow down. They’ve been headlining festivals, selling out stadiums, and making shirtless bass solos cool for four decades, and they’re still racking up Billboard hits like it’s child’s play. The FireAid crowd got a taste of everything—classic jams, new bangers, and a reminder that when it comes to putting on a show, RHCP is still in a league of its own.
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