Musicians gather for Oz bushfire benefit

Musicians from around the world have gathered together to play benefit concerts in aid of the victims of Australia's recent bushfires.

Sound Relief concerts were held in Sydney and Melbourne for the cause, with Coldplay kicking off the Sydney show with their song 'Yellow'.

Kings of Leon and Australian stars Midnight Oil were also among acts scheduled to play at the event, which attracted thousands of fans despite stormy weather, says the BBC.

The Melbourne gig, hosted by Kylie Minogue, attracted a sell-out crowd of 80,000 people to watch acts including Jack Johnson, Gabriella Cilmi and Wolfmother.

A total of 210 people died in the recent fires, which wiped out communities in the south of the country and are the worst to be recorded in Australia's history.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett, 55, returned to his former group Midnight Oil to play at the event, and said: "The music industry coming together to put its hands in its pockets and get itself out on the stage...is a very, very special day for us.

"Naturally, I consulted with my colleagues because I've got responsibilities but I think everybody recognises that it was just a really extraordinary situation."