Quinta Brunson gives teachers affected by fires a shoutout
Following John Mayer’s performance, Quinta Brunson appeared onstage to give a shoutout to educators who have been affected by the destruction.
The fires have “taken an immeasurable toll on our children, parents and the people with one of the most important and toughest jobs in the world: teachers,” the "Abbott Elementary" star said as she welcomed one to the stage.
Glendale High School math teacher Aurora Barboza Flores told the audience she took 21 years to save for the down payment on her dream home — a home that’s now gone.
“The destruction of the fire in Altadena made it look like a war zone. Power lines down, homes and cars burned,” she said. “Everything was gone, but I did manage to find one thing: a dish that I used to keep my jewelry in. It had an inscription which reads, ‘I think I’ll just be happy today.’ Sometimes that’s all we can do, even though it’s hard.”
John Mayer talks the dream of living L.A.
John Mayer, who lives in L.A., discussed the "dream" it is to live in the city ahead of a cover of "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty.
"For those whose dreams are broken, for those whose dreams have not, we will get together tonight and many other nights to make sure those dreams are repaired," Mayer said.
John Mayer performs acoustic set
John Mayer sang an acoustic version of his hit "Neon."
"It's an honor to be here tonight, thank you," he said before he played his next song, "Gravity."
Mayer was supposed to perform alongside Dave Matthews, who earlier today announced he had to drop out of the event because of a family emergency.
It's a (mostly) apolitical show so far
The performers have just about entirely avoided any mention of politics, with even Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong offering a message of unity.
Rod Stewart might, might, have nodded at it when he introduced "People Get Ready," by the Impressions, as a song harking back to the Civil Rights Movement.
"This next song was written during these civil uprising in the 1960s," Stewart said. "And I think this one is apropos for this evening."
Pink added another topical jab in introducing the next artist: "Ladies and gentlemen and every other gender that absolutely exists, I give you John Mayer!”
Rod Stewart performs hits, including 'Maggie May'
Rock legend Rod Stewart opened the show at the Intuit Dome after he was introduced by Samuel L. Jackson, his former neighbor.
The British singer, who lived in L.A. for 50 years, sang his classics "Forever Young," "Maggie May" and "People Get Ready."
Samuel L. Jackson kicks off second concert at Intuit Dome
Concert No. 2 is officially underway. Samuel L. Jackson announced its start at the Intuit Dome.
"This concert is so big we had to fill two arenas," Jackson said to a screaming crowd.
"We're all here to watch some incredible music and hold each other up. The fires were devastating, but the firefighters ... saved so many lives and so many homes. We got hundreds of first responders here in the house. Let's give them a huge round of applause," he continued, noting that "even though they fought for us, some of them lost their homes."
Jackson then invited a Pasadena firefighter of 18 years and his family onstage. The family had to evacuate from the Eaton Fire, which eventually engulfed their home.
Pink tells L.A. she is 'hurting with you'
Dressed in all black and a wide-brimmed hat, Pink began her set with “What About Us.”
"If you’re hurting, I’m hurting with you. My heart is with you," Pink said, addressing the crowd. "I’m going to keep my feet on the ground tonight. And I’m going to sing a couple of songs that bring me comfort. And I hope that they do the same for you all."
She then performed "Me and Bobby McGee," which Janis Joplin made famous.
Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Mike Campbell bring blast from music’s past to FireAid
Stephen Stills sang the hit song “For What It’s Worth,” which was made famous in the ’60s with Stills' band Buffalo Springfield, alongside Mike Campbell from Tom Petty's band The Heartbreakers.
But then the crowd went wild when Stills’ former bandmate Graham Nash took the stage to perform “Teach Your Children” alongside the band Dawes.
“There’s a very large community here in Los Angeles, made up of many, many musicians,” Nash said before he launched into the song. “And whenever Los Angeles gets into trouble, the musicians are right there. And I’m proud to be one of them.”
Altadena family who lost their homes in fires address concertgoers from stage
Five members of the Williams family from Altadena lost a total of four homes in the Eaton fire and are now struggling to find housing, Eshele Williams shared onstage.
“We grabbed what we could, pitchers, our grandmother’s special clock,” she said. “We collected our father’s ashes and his flag from serving in the military.”
The families have had ties to Altadena for generations, stretching back to 1948, she said.
"We love our community, and right now we are all grieving immense loss, but there is a sign in the ruins at my mother’s home," she added. "Everything was destroyed except her front door. It stands at this hour."
The family introduced the band Dawes.
Joni Mitchell performs emotional rendition of 'Both Sides Now'
The iconic Joni Mitchell sang her famous song “Both Sides Now” off her album "Clouds" from 1969.
Mitchell, who is 81, sat in a beautifully adorned gold and white thronelike chair and wore her signature sunglasses. The crowd erupted into cheers as she sang her famous lyrics into a fitting golden microphone.