Unofficial official Australian Anthem #FireFightAustraliaThe Fire Fight Australia concert in Sydney is in full swing, with 10 hours of musical performances raising funds for communities devastated by the catastrophic bushfires and the emergency services who have worked tirelessly to support them.
Key points:
70,000 people are expected to attend the concert at Sydney Olympic Park
Comedian Celeste Barber opened the show with a dig at politicians
John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John will be the show's final performers
The host, comedian Celeste Barber, whose own fundraising efforts have raised $51.3 million through a Facebook campaign, launched the show with an early political dart.
"It's been such a hectic time. As Aussies, we bear together and look after each other — because it turns out the people at the top don't," she said to a big cheer from the crowd.
Barber told fans they were in for a "wicked night" with "epic" names like Olivia Newton-John and Alice Cooper, plus "multiple costume changes" by herself, she joked.
More than 70,000 people are expected to attend the concert at Sydney Olympic Park, which will pack in 23 artists in an event which will be broadcast nationally and to the US, UK and New Zealand.
A crowd of people
PHOTO: More than 70,000 people are expected to attend the concert. (AAP Image: Joel Carrett)
Barber announced that proceeds from the concert, merchandise sales and online donations meant the total raised so far had hit $6 million.
To celebrate, she thanked donors and led the audience in a chant of "power to the people".
"We are all here for each other," she said.
It follows performances by pop favourite Jessica Mauboy and a blistering set by party-starters Peking Duk, who urged the audience to visit affected communities and holiday in Australia to help boost recovery efforts.
Waving an Australian flag, Delta Goodrem, accompanied by a choir of young girls all dressed in white, started her set with a rousing version of I Am Australian, joined by the crowd.
Old and new national treasures and a few notable international faces are among those fronting the show.
Delta Goodrem holds an Australian flag above her as a choir sings behind her on stage at a bushfire relief concert
PHOTO: Delta Goodrem, backed by a young girls' choir, got the crowd going with a rendition of I Am Australian. (AAP: Joel Carrett)
The biggest act is Queen + Adam Lambert, who had already warmed up with a headline show at the same venue.
Also in town are shock rocker Alice Cooper and Canadian singer k.d. lang.
Michael Buble will do a live cross from his concert in Melbourne tonight.
Local acts include 5 Seconds of Summer, Tina Arena, Hilltop Hoods, Delta Goodrem and Amy Shark, with the final bow of the night belonging to John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John.
Jessica Mauboy raises her hand as she sings at Sydney's Olympic stadium
PHOTO: Jessica Mauboy is among a host of high-profile acts performing in Sydney. (AAP: Joel Carrett)
About 1,000 NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers and their families are to attend today's concert for free.
Fans arriving at the stadium early said they were excited to be a part of such a huge national event.
"It was a good opportunity to listen to some good singers and come together and support the firefighters and all those families that lost their homes," said Jacqueline Rook, who came with her family, husband Stephen and daughters Michaela, 14 and Savannah, 11.
She said it would be one of the biggest shows she has ever been to.
Four people look at the camera
PHOTO: Jacqueline Rook attended with her family. (ABC News: Sarah Thomas)
"It's just the environment, everyone coming together to support the people," she said.
It was a sentiment echoed by three friends on their way in: Rachel Gleeson and Emma Carr, both from Newcastle, and Rowena O'Neill from Bardwell Park.
"We're here to get behind our country. When things fall to pieces, we need to pull together and stand together, so that's why I wanted to come," Ms Carr said.
Ms O'Neill said she had family and friends down the South Coast who had been affected and were not yet getting the support they needed.
However, she added she had seen the negative commentary surrounding Barber's fund and was aware that it was for the national fire services.
"People are complaining that the $50 million is not going to the people — that's not meant to go to the people, that's meant to go to the RFS because they need better trucks and a lot more support so they can get out there and fight these fires," she said.
