By james art 
Just days after the fires were on fire, Los Angeles, Shelley and Irving Azoph, knew the music industry needed withdrawal. Twelve days later, Irving’s family in collaboration with Live Nation and La Clippers has gathered 27 artists, two seats and 25 Streaming Partners.
The Fireaid Benefit concert has already raised $ 60 million before even starting efforts to raise funds and digital funds. Connie and Steve Balmer, owner of La Clippers and former Microsoft CEO, also committed to matching any donation made during live broadcast.
Thewrap talks with the legendary music manager and entrepreneur Azoff, who runs the Fireaid concert, which will pass live on Thursday night from Intuit Dome Dome CK and Kia Forum to Los Angeles.
How have you been doing in the last two weeks?
I haven’t slept for two weeks.
I believe in this. Joel Galen, the executive producer of the Benefit concert, told us that the show would be about five hours. Is this true?
We hope it is only five. I think the excess floor is about five and a half. He suggests that Stevie Wonder appears on time.
What was your decision to make this benefit digital concert, streaming experience?
There are several reasons in perfect transparency: the broadcast networks are not gong to clear five and a half hours. What is your name: are you in the show and not?
The music is closer to streaming than broadcast television. We have X, we have tiktok. I wanted to go where the music listeners go, and I hope they show up – they will see a great show. They understand how bad it was and have compassion for people and start the healing process.
Eddie Kye said you think YouTube will have the best record in raising money. We went to YouTube and they kindly got on.
And then did you reach for streams?
YouTube returned and generously said we could do it. Most [the streamers] We reached for us, but ended with 25 streaming partners.
Why YouTube?
When you watch Coachella, it surrenders on YouTube, right? This is not a broadcast broadcast broadcast. This is more like Coachella. It is more like streaming a live concert. We thought it was better to give up and it was too long for broadcast TV.
Steve and Connie Balmer coincide with every dollar. Clippers raised every nickel of costs, between them and the live nation. Every dollar raised goes to the community.
How did the members of your production team unite to gather this concert for two weeks while still mourning the loss of their city?
We have to start the healing process. I was in both buildings last night to check the sound. Artists who are grinding around. The volunteers who came out. People came out of retirement. There were people who worked at MTV. They have been out of work for years. With Grammy this week. Super Bowl was coming, we had to get on for people and equipment. We did this in 12 days.
Were there any artists who called who said no?
We didn’t really do much of the tasks. Rod Stuart is the first. Sheli [Azoff] She was on the phone with her daughter. Then Stevie Nix called me and asked, “What are we doing?” She lost her house. The next thing I knew, John Mayer sent a message to Dave Matthew, and they were inside. It just descended from there. Almost every person has some connection with LA
We didn’t have to go out and ask people to do it. Unfortunately, the bill was fulfilled so quickly – there were people who wanted to be on the show, but we just exhausted the room. We finished one building to two. Many people who called late have come up with a way to cooperate with people who are already on the show. There will be surprises in both buildings.
Like who?
This is a surprise. I can’t tell you!
How many songs will each artist perform?
This is mostly two to four songs, especially if it is a surprising artist with you.
This event brings out the best of everyone in the music business – performers, managers, agents. The live nation is incredible, clippers, all those people who were partners.
Can you discuss this to do this engaging live concert experience in two places for LA, as well as streaming experience for fans at home?
For me, this is a live show that is transmitted. To Joel [Gallen]This is the same television show and live show. It will be great. Amazing composition. There will be thousands of first answers and affected people in the audience.
This interview was edited and condensed for length and clarity.
