At the benefit show A Concert for Altadena, generations of stars marked loss and looked forward

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Last year, when Liz Wilson watched the Eaton fire approach her Pasadena home, she realized her part of Southern California would be forever changed. On Wednesday, the one-year anniversary of the fire, the benefit concert in Altadena felt like a truly hopeful event.

Wilson explained that the recent hardship wasn’t just about lost houses, but also the loss of a sense of community. He spoke from the lobby of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, where many local performers were gathering for a benefit concert. The event was organized to raise money for the Altadena Builds Back Foundation and to offer a hopeful experience for residents on the difficult anniversary of January 7th.

This event is more than just about raising money; it’s a chance to come together and support our neighbors who are recovering from recent hardships. Altadena has always been a vibrant arts community, and that spirit is still strong. Many of our friends and neighbors are still trying to rebuild their lives, and it’s important that we don’t forget their struggles. We haven’t, and we want to continue showing them we care.

Music

It was a heartbreaking coincidence that the Palisades and Eaton fires destroyed two neighborhoods known for their important role in Los Angeles’ music scene.

As the anniversary of the Eaton and Palisades fires passed – marking the start of a very challenging year for the city – people mostly remembered what was lost and the amount of rebuilding still needed. In Altadena, a town known for its vibrant arts community, a concert felt like a fitting way for musicians and artists to both commemorate the anniversary and express hope for the future.

Kevin Lyman, who created the Vans Warped Tour and teaches at USC, has lived in Altadena for twenty years. He was forced to leave his home for four months due to the Eaton fire. To help the community reconnect and stay motivated, he organized a concert focused on recovery efforts.

I have to stay positive in this line of work, and I’m seeing more and more construction trucks and workers heading into Altadena every day. You might be gone for just a few days and come back to see a house starting to take shape. But then you look around and realize there are still plenty of vacant lots nearby, he explained.

He explained that one of the biggest challenges is feeling disconnected – even a short distance away, life continues as normal for others. It’s important to constantly remind people that those affected are still here and still need support. Artists who have rebuilt their lives are now helping those who are still struggling.

Music

A longtime collaborator of Ornette Coleman and a key figure in free jazz lost nearly all his possessions in the Eaton fire, but thankfully his music and drive to create were spared. He noted that surviving in Los Angeles requires a resilient spirit.

Altadena resident and actor John C. Reilly hosted the event, acknowledging the community’s recovery while also criticizing Southern California Edison, the utility company whose equipment started the fire. He described the company as putting profits ahead of necessary infrastructure improvements. Reilly also strongly condemned former President Trump’s response to the blaze, famously responding to Trump’s suggestion to “rake leaves” with a blunt rebuke.

The evening showcased grassroots activism, with organizers like Heavenly Hughes of My Tribe Rise leading a spirited chant of “Altadena’s not for sale.” The event also celebrated Altadena’s vibrant music scene. The night kicked off with a lively performance by L.A. Latin rock group Ozomatli, who played throughout the venue. Later, Everclear’s Art Alexakis shared a personal story, explaining that after losing his home in the Eaton fire, he was grateful to have been able to find temporary housing, even though it meant living in a hotel for five months.

Travis Cooper traveled from Northern California to the event, deeply touched by how Altadena maintained its unique character following the Eaton fire. Having experienced a similar loss – his parents’ home was destroyed in a Redding fire years ago – he understood the pain firsthand. He recalled the fear of fires growing up and said witnessing his parents’ loss was even more devastating. Thankfully, their community rallied around them with donations of clothing and temporary housing, which meant a great deal. Cooper and his family wanted to offer that same support to the Altadena community.

The evening’s main performance came from Dawes, a folk-rock band from Altadena. The band members lost their homes and instruments in the Eaton fire, and have since become well-known representatives of their community within the music world – they even played at the Grammys just weeks after the disaster.

Music

As a huge music fan, I’m really excited to hear that a fantastic folk-rock band from Los Angeles is putting on a benefit concert this Wednesday at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. It’s going to be an all-star event, which means tons of great musicians will be there, and it’s all for a good cause!

At the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, they hosted a diverse lineup of performers including Brad Paisley, Brandon Flowers of The Killers, Aloe Blacc, Jenny Lewis, and Rufus Wainwright. The show also featured talented vocalists Lucius, and the blues-rock sounds of Judith Hill and Eric Krasno – all well-known artists working to support their local music scene as it recovers from the Eaton fire.

Altadena has a strong sense of community across all ages, and that was clear at the concert. Seeing legendary musician Stephen Stills perform Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” alongside a newer band like Lord Huron, who covered the Kinks’ “Strangers,” really highlighted the rich history of music in Los Angeles.

Dawes is a well-established band from Los Angeles, and performing songs like “All Your Favorite Bands” felt particularly meaningful considering the recent hardships faced by many artists. Lead singer Taylor Goldsmith sang, “I hope the world sees the person I’ve always known,” followed by a hopeful wish: “May all your favorite bands stay together.”

The concert offered a hopeful night for bands continuing to perform together. Jeffrey Paradise, lead singer of Poolside, who lost his home in a fire, DJed the after-party. Now living in Glassell Park, he admitted the fires remain a sensitive subject, both for him and for those helping people who were forced to leave their homes.

California

This piece is a personal reflection by a journalist on the changes happening in her hometown of Altadena, looking back at its past and forward to its future.

He found it difficult to discuss, explaining that it was a very complicated time. While it was the most challenging year of his life, he was also touched by the incredible support he received. He admitted it was hard to say how he was doing, as there wasn’t a simple answer.

This concert was a way to honor those we lost last year and to support efforts helping people rebuild their lives and reconnect with the things they cherish – their community, their land, and music.

He described the situation as a disaster, but emphasized their ability to cope and help others move forward. He explained that it’s a time for personal growth, forcing a reevaluation of priorities and a reinvention of self, leaving him with no choice but to adapt and persevere.

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2026-01-09 01:02