When the Hurst Fire in Sylmar was raging back in January, 16-year-old Joel Alonso felt moments of sheer panic and uncertainty as the flames came dangerously close to people’s homes at Oakridge.
While days later there was a sense of relief once the fire was extinguished, he knew there were many others in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, who weren’t so fortunate, including his former cross country coach and a family friend who lost their homes.
Having experienced just a “taste” of what they had gone through, Joel felt the need to help them.
“The first thing I knew that I needed was to ring up a bunch of friends of mine and contacts I have with many other groups here in the valley and say, ‘Hey, we should do something to support those out there,’” Joel said. “Lo and behold, that would become the benefit concert.”
The concert in question was the LA(id) Fires: A Benefit Concert, held on Sunday, March 9, at the American Legion Post 176 in the City of San Fernando. Six groups performed in the concert: The Junies, Rec Affect, Boys Lie, Alibi, Tumble and Lodo.
All the proceeds from the $15 ticket sales and concessions are going to LA wildfire relief efforts via The Salvation Army. Joel said that by the end of the night, they had raised more than $2,000.
“Everyone had a good time. A bunch of youth showed up, came out to support their groups, as well as contribute to the cause,” Joel said. “Everything’s going directly to [relief efforts]. It was just a blast.”
It took some doing to have the concert in the first place, however. Joel tried contacting different venues but had no luck. He asked his father – Sergio Alonso, music teacher, marching band and mariachi instructor at San Fernando High School (SFHS) – for help, which got him connected to the American Legion.
Before things could move forward, Joel had to pitch the idea to the American Legion committee – an experience he described as “nerve-wracking.”
“But we got through it and they seemed happy [with the idea], especially since they hadn’t done anything yet to support fire aid,” Joel said. “It was pretty easy to win them over. They were more than happy to help.”
The 16-year-old is grateful to all the parties who helped make the concert possible, including event volunteers Andy Alonso, the sound engineer, Kurlee Herrera and Sal Rodriguez “Sal the drummer” from the band War, who played a set.
At Home on Stage
His passion for music started at a young age, growing up in a family of artists, musicians and dancers, well-known performers in mariachi and traditional Mexican music, but he gravitated toward rock music. After some self-exploration, he knew this was the genre he wanted to perform in and was determined to show the world what he had to offer.
The teen began performing in 2022, coincidentally holding his first show at the American Legion. He said that being on stage “feels like home” where he can unleash the most “authentic” version of himself.
Those who attended the concert noted his showmanship and natural ability to entertain.
“I wouldn’t consider myself a shy person. If anything, I’d like to say I’m pretty friendly to be around … but there’s always that worry inside of what everyone else thinks and whatnot,” Joel said. “But up there on that stage, I know I’m the ruler of my own self, and it’s just this impenetrable confidence that I feel proud of myself for.”
The rock scene in the San Fernando Valley is pretty bleak, he said, but hopes that rock concerts like this one will encourage others to have concerts of their own and establish a stronger rock presence in the valley. He encourages anyone who has a passion for music to keep pushing, despite feeling as though the odds are stacked against them, and to keep an undeterred determination.
Joel isn’t sure if and when he will hold another benefit concert, but is open to the idea of joining one if someone else were to reach out to him.
“I’ve always had a strong heart and feel for the community,” Joel said. “That being said, if at any point, we can all come together and support each other in this great, big, legendary city of ours, I’d say shoot for it because we’re all people. We all live here. … We’re all neighbors and we should have each other’s backs.”
