In the wake of devastating fires that have affected countless Angelenos, the independent nightlife community came together for a night of music and unity at LA Gives Back: Fire Relief.
Held at The Bellwether in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Jan. 29, the event transformed the venue into a multi-stage celebration featuring some of the most beloved names in L.A.’s underground music scene. From Pangea Sound’s eclectic blend of rap remixes and reggaeton to Shrek Rave’s high-energy spectacle and Emo Nite’s nostalgic singalongs, the night served as both a party and a testament to the city’s resilience.
Doors opened at 7 p.m., but it wasn’t until later in the night that the venue truly came alive. By 9:30 p.m., the upstairs room, dubbed Camille’s Stage, was brimming with energy, drawing even a larger crowd than the main floor. This unique setup allowed attendees to switch between different vibes throughout the evening, a feature that became even more crucial when Shrek Rave’s set kicked off with an explosion of pyrotechnics.
As DJs decked out in green and Shrek ears spun remixes of “Hey Now (You’re a Rockstar)” and “Livin’ la Vida Loca,” a performer in a full Shrek suit hyped up the crowd, turning the room into a neon-lit fantasy.
Meanwhile, Pangea Sound held it down below, blending cumbia, reggaeton and hip-hop to keep everyone moving. But once Emo Nite took the stage, the entire venue seemed to shift in unison, as fans, a good portion of them being millennials, flocked downstairs for a rowdy, cathartic singalong. Blink-182, Yellowcard, My Chemical Romance and Death Cab for Cutie rang through the room as the founders of Emo Nite took a moment to acknowledge their roots. “We started this 11 years ago, and we’d be nothing without our city. We love Los Angeles,” they told the crowd, a sentiment that was repeatedly echoed throughout the night.
That love for L.A. was especially palpable when A Club Called Rhonda took over. A beacon for the LGBTQ+ community and a staple of L.A. nightlife, Rhonda transformed its set into a full-on stage party, embodying its ethos of radical self-expression and freedom — values that many fans in the audience say are especially important during this turbulent time in the country.
“I feel like there’s just so much going on right now, not just within California but across the country and the world. Coming together and seeing queer liberation like that on stage is so freeing,” said Tina Carlson, a Los Angeles native and nightlife lover who decided to join in on the fun last minute with a friend. “It’s important to always fight for your community, to show up and be brave in these spaces. This is why I love Los Angeles.”
As Unity Thru Community flashed across the screens, the crowd embraced the moment, celebrating the very thing that made the night so special — coming together.
The night culminated with Brownies & Lemonade, a collective known for throwing some of L.A.’s biggest electronic parties. From midnight to 2 a.m., the group delivered a stacked lineup of surprise guests, including Madeon, who played a handful of unreleased tracks, and back-to-back sets from Nghtmre and Netsky, as well as Chris Lorenzo and AC Slater. As “We Love LA” flashed repeatedly across the screen, Madeon reflected on the city that shaped his career, reinforcing the night’s central theme that the city is stronger together.
For Casey Lowdermilk, general manager of The Bellwether, the event was about more than just music. “We’ve previously worked with IHEARTCOMIX and Brownies & Lemonade before, and we love both of those groups,” he said. “It was just really important to offer a space as a host for the independent nightlife community to come together as a group. And it’s just important to participate and support that.”
But beyond nightlife, the cause at the heart of LA Gives Back resonated deeply. “Everyone knows someone that’s been impacted by the fires in Los Angeles,” Lowdermilk continued. “And if not directly, everyone’s had shows or events that have had to cancel, and a lot of our staff are impacted by that too. So it’s important just to get everyone together.”
By the time the night wound down, it was clear that LA Gives Back had accomplished something truly special. It wasn’t just a fundraiser; it was a reminder of what makes LA’s music scene so unique, its ability to unite for a greater purpose, proving once again that in this city, community comes first.