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'Breathtaking': Thousands attend star-studded mega concert for bushfire relief

Thousands of people have poured into Sydney's ANZ stadium to show support for the state's firefighters and all those impacted by the summer's bushfire crisis.

More than 70,000 people attended the Fire Fight Australia concert on Sunday, which according to organisers sold-out within 24-hours of tickets going on sale.

Hosted by comedian Celeste Barber, who has raised more than $52 million for bushfire relief, all ticket profits will go to groups which are helping fire-ravaged communities get back on their feet.

Fans in the crowd during the Fire Fight Australia bushfire relief concert at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. Source: AAP
70,000 music fans attended the sold out Fire Fight Australia bushfire relief concert to 'thank the firies'. Source: AAP

Andrea Gartside decided to attend the nine-hour concert with her friend Maureen Mackie to support the firefighters after the unprecedented fire season.

"We're doing our part in helping," she told AAP at ANZ stadium ahead of the event.

"It's going to be awesome ... it's great that it's bringing everyone together for a good cause."

Celeste Barber speaks during the Fire Fight Australia bushfire relief concert at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Sunday, February 16, 2020. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING
Host Celeste Barber energised the crowd during the nine hour long Fire Fight Australia bushfire relief concert. Source: AAP

Queen and Tina Arena among all-star lineup

Rock behemoths Queen + Adam Lambert, Alice Cooper, Irish favourite Ronan Keating, singer-songwriter k.d. lang and Tina Arena were all on the bill, including many more artists.

Queen fan Cheryl Hind said she was super excited to see the band perform again.

"It's part of why I'm here today and to thank the firies for everything they've done," she told AAP.

"It's just amazing."

Lisa Yasso travelled from central Queensland to see the legendary rock band perform again.

"It's an awesome cause," she told AAP.

Canadian crooner Michael Bublé also beamed in live from his concert in Melbourne.

Australian performers rock out

The international stars were joined by home grown Australian acts spanning generations, including 5 Seconds of Summer, Amy Shark, Delta Goodrem, Grinspoon, Jessica Mauboy, John Farnham, Lee Kernaghan, Olivia Newton-John and more.

Australian performers Daryl Braithwaite, Jessica Mauboy and Grinspoon at the Fire Fight Australia concert
Daryl Braithwaite (left), Jessica Mauboy (middle) and Grinspoon (right) were among the home grown musical acts that performed for the 70,000 strong crowd. Source: AAP

Energetic host Ms Barber joined Daryl Braithwaite on stage during his iconic performance of ‘The Horses’, riding a broomstick across the stage sending the crowd into a frenzy as they sung along to what some on social media dubbed the “unofficial national anthem”.

NSW RFS welcomed 1000 fire fighting volunteers and their families who attended, enjoying the feel good day after months of battling the devastating bushfires which tragically saw the deaths of three volunteer crew members.

“Keep an eye out for the 1000 #NSWRFS volunteers and their families who are there - a much needed day off for time with family and friends! Enjoy the day!” NSW RFS tweeted.

RFS volunteers and NSW Fire and Rescue officers fight a bushfire encroaching on properties near Termeil on the Princes Highway between Bateman’s Bay and Ulladulla south of Sydney,Tuesday, December, 3, 2019. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING
RFS volunteers and NSW Fire and Rescue officers fight a bushfire in the state in December. Source: AAP

Due to the huge number of patrons, some attendees were left less than impressed by the crowd management at the stadium but complaints were few and far between, one music lover describing the concert as “breathtaking”.

“Gates opened 30 minutes late but event started on time. Queues hundreds of meters long to get in, barely moving. Tickets holders stuck outside listening to the music,” one person vented on social media.

Organisers proved they were dedicated to providing the best experience possible, even responding to a sound complaint from an audience member who tweeted the music sounded “distorted” in their section high up in the stadium.

ANZ stadium responded to the complaint within moments, narrowing down the section the music lover was located in and got production working on the issue.

“Freddy would be proud,” a Queen fan responded to the handling of the complaint.

The concert kicked off at 1pm AEDT and broadcast live on Channel 7 and across the world on Foxtel, with a free public screening in Melbourne's Federation Square.

Fire Fight's profits will be shared between the Red Cross' disaster relief and recovery fund, rural and regional fire services and the RSPCA's bushfire appeal.

Donations to the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal will also be accepted during the concert, to fund grants for community-led projects needing support in the bushfires' aftermath.

— With AAP

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