Olivia Rodrigo’s All-Female “Daisy Chain Fields” Festival Takes Over Irvine This Weekend

By Rachel S

Roots of Daisy Chain:

This weekend marks the start of Daisy Chain Fields, Olivia Rodrigo's new female-led festival in Irvine, CA. Saturday's lineup consists of big names such as Stevie Nicks, Chappell Roan, Doechii, Mitski, and Katseye, while also including up-and-coming female artists such as Eli, Rachel Chinouriri, and Die Spitz. Rodrigo crafts a lineup that transcends typical barriers between generations and genres to create a collective celebration of music and the social change it so often inspires.

Women within the music industry have long been overlooked by labels and consumers alike, an issue Sarah Mclaughin directly addressed in 1997. After being told a festival featuring multiple women wouldn't sell, she created "Lilith Fair," an incredibly successful touring festival of the 90s. In its debut year alone, the festival grossed over $16 million, putting it above the male-dominated rock festivals of the era. The rotating lineup consisted of icons such as Sheryl Crow, Fiona Apple, Bonnie Raitt, and Missy Elliot and also included a third stage showcasing unsigned local talent. Both attendees and performers of the festival note it as a rare, safe environment compared to other festivals and performances of the decade.

Inspired by the success of "Lilith Fair," Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and Queen Latifah created a similar festival in 2005 consisting of only black female artists. The Sugar Water Festival ran for two years and featured R&B, hiphop and soul artists. All three founders explicitly credit Sarah Mclaughlin for creating the blueprint for a women-led festival, which they then shifted and applied directly to their community. Sugar Water stood for far more than simply representation as the founders focused on providing resources and information around health conditions that disproportionately affect black women, such as breast cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. By combining serious topics with the lively concert environment, the festival broke down barriers and stigma surrounding preventative care and mental health.

"Daisy Chain Fields" follows a similar blueprint to these prior festivals. Alongside musical performances, the event will feature activations and partnerships providing resources and information to uplift young women and inspire social change. After all acts agreed to perform for free, the festival proceeds all go towards nonprofit organizations advocating for women, such as Planned Parenthood and The Center for Reproductive Rights. Discussing the event's purpose, Rodrigo states that "It affirms that music and collective experience can serve as enduring drivers of progress and social change. It's a place where inspiration and curiosity lead to knowledge, strength, and action." At its core, the festival is a celebration of the community, joy, and creativity. The title alludes to the free and wild nature of a daisy that, when tied into a chain, is unbreakable, representing female connection. While Rodrigo may just be the latest to reinvent the blueprint of such a festival, it is certain to be an exciting day with a broad and meaningful impact on society.