A New Platform for Advocacy
Olivia Rodrigo transformed the Great Park in Irvine, CA into the site of her inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival last night. The event succeeded in raising $20 million to support women’s rights initiatives. Half of this total came from proceeds during the day, while Melinda French Gates provided an additional $10 million through her charity, Pivotal. Rodrigo stated during a press conference on Friday that the collective effort of the artists and activists involved provided her with a sense of optimism during a period of legislative regression regarding women's rights.
Attendance reached thousands, with the festival layout featuring two distinct stages: the Marigold Stage and the Dandelion Stage. Organizers ensured no overlapping sets, allowing fans to catch performances from a diverse lineup including Bikini Kill, Garbage, The Breeders, Mitski, and Chappell Roan. The venue included a specific walking path dubbed Daisy Lane, which detailed milestones for women over the last 130 years. Nonprofit partners like Planned Parenthood and the National Women’s Law Center hosted booths in the dedicated Philanthropy Village to engage directly with the audience.
Star-Studded Appearances and Surprise Debuts
The event drew significant attention from high-profile celebrities, including Drew Barrymore, Conan Gray, and Mike Shinoda. While the group KATSEYE was unable to perform due to an ankle injury sustained by member Megan Skiendiel, the group still appeared on stage to introduce the charity Baby2Baby. Mitski spoke to the crowd about her decision to join the lineup, calling it a simple choice to support a festival centered on women and girls. She noted that such events should become a regular occurrence.
Chappell Roan debuted a new hairstyle and a stage outfit inspired by the flight attendant uniforms from the film The Fifth Element. During her set, she playfully chided an unengaged concertgoer during her performance of The Subway. Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill used her stage time to address the state of healthcare access, emphasizing the necessity of artistic spaces that allow for collective support. The band invited Emily’s Sassy Lime to join them for a rendition of the classic track Rebel Girl.
The Headline Set and Looking Ahead
Rodrigo’s own set focused on tracks from her recent album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, alongside the live debut of her song serena joy. She utilized the headlining slot to bring out major special guests, including Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morissette. McLachlan, who co-founded the influential Lilith Fair in the 1990s, performed Building A Mystery and Angel with Rodrigo. The pair dedicated the latter track to Dolly Parton, who passed away earlier in the week.
Alanis Morissette joined for a performance of Ironic, marking another collaboration between the two artists. The evening concluded with an appearance from Stevie Nicks for a rendition of Landslide. Nicks praised Rodrigo’s work ethic and commitment to the cause, telling the audience to keep supporting her efforts. Following the set, Rodrigo confirmed that the festival will return, ending the night by telling the crowd she would see them next year. This debut event sets a new precedent for artist-led philanthropy in the industry.