CBS Radio's 'We Can Survive 2014' A Sold-Out Success To Fight Breast Cancer

A Night Of Stars

FRIDAY night (10/24), the HOLLYWOOD BOWL played host to CBS RADIO's second annual "We Can Survive" benefit.  A portion of sales from each ticket to the sold out event will go to help breast cancer survivors.

Although singer PHARRELL WILLIAMS technically started the festivities at 5p with "CITI's Pre-Show Soundtrack Experience with PHARRELL WILLIAMS," the show officially got underway just before 7p when singer SIA took the stage.  She sang with her back to the audience while dancers on stage wearing bobbed blonde wigs performed across the spartanly-decorated stage as the singer performed songs including "Diamonds" (which she wrote for RIHANNA), and her set closer "Chandelier."

KAMP (97.1 AMP RADIO)/L.A. host BOOKER then introduced PARAMORE to the stage, with singer HAYLEY WILLIAMS rocking a superhero look which included a short, bright pink cape across her shoulders and a blue lightning bolt on her top. The band (celebrating their 10th year performing and their first ever show at the BOWL) tore through a high-energy set which included "Misery Business" and their recent single "Ain't It Fun," though they did slow it down for their smash ballad "The Only Exception."

AMP morning host CARSON DALY addressed the crowd, thanking them for making the show a sold out success.  He also mentioned how cancer took the life of his father and almost that of his mother, adding "but thanks to people like you, my mom survived."  He then welcomed to the stage IGGY AZALEA whose set included her recent #1's "Fancy," "Black Widow" and even a bit of "Problem" (the ARIANA GRANDE smash, on which she was featured vocalist).  The audience got a big surprise when JENNIFER LOPEZ joined her on stage to perform their duet "Booty."

2 BROKE GIRLS star BETH BEHRS arrived next to introduce LADY ANTEBELLUM to the stage for their first show at the venue.  The lone non-Pop radio act were well-received, opening with "Hey Bartender" and "Run To You." "It was our first Country #1 single," vocalist HILLARY SCOTT told the audience, while band mate CHARLES KELLEY teased the upcoming set from Country-turned-Pop performer TAYLOR SWIFT adding, "but she's gotta listen to us first!"

Then it was TAYLOR SWIFT's turn.  Dim lights and smoke filled the stage as it rotated to reveal the band and backup singers. The crowd erupted as she appeared to the opening chords of "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."  She engaged the audience between each of the four songs in her set, pointing out that this was also her first appearance at the BOWL.  She made note that her new album "1989" was about to be released, showing off her special mic, which was bedazzled with the album's title, and wondered aloud if it would be alright to perform a new song from the album, before launching into "Out Of The Woods." She closed her set with the album's first #1, "Shake It Off."

MICHELLE BOROS, AMP RADIO MD/midday talent then came out to welcome special guest ALICIA KEYS, a late addition to the evening's lineup.  The singer, expecting her second child, walked out to the grand piano and performed "Empire State Of Mind," "No One" and her latest "We Are Here" a song she wrote with husband SWIZZ BEATZ, from which spawned the We Are Here Movement, for more social justice.

ARIANA GRANDE was next up, taking the stage to perform a five song set, including her recent Top 5 hit "Break Free" and the #1 "Problem."  Although she referred to "technical difficulties," those issues went unnoticed by the audience who responded enthusiastically to each song, especially when she exploded into "Bang Bang."  The singer may have been a featured performer on the song along with JESSIE J and NICKI MINAJ, but she clearly owned it in this performance.

BOOKER had the pleasure of welcoming PHARRELL WILLIAMS to the stage, who kicked the party into high gear.  Wearing a blue satin jacket and blue ranger hat, he explained to the audience that he was there to "celebrate women and their survival."  Talking with the audience along the way he revealed, "Cancer took my two grandmas.  It's an honor to support this cause for those who are still here and fighting.  Remember, your energy does count."

The party-ready set began with "Come Get It Bae," from his latest album G I R L and "Frontin'," his 2003 single with JAY-Z.  This was followed by more songs that featured him or his production work including NELLY's "Hot In Herre," ROBIN THICKE's "Blurred Lines" and DAFT PUNK's "Get Lucky."  WILLIAMS then introduced fellow Voice judge GWEN STEFANI, referring to her as his sister and "the queen," before she performed her 2004 smash "Hollaback Girl."

The night was filled with positive messages from the performers and it was only appropriate that the final number would be his smash "Happy." For this, the singer brought three young girls to the stage to enjoy the song up close.  The finale of the evening was one of the BOWL's famed fireworks displays.

More pictures of the event can be found here and here.

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