The inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival, spearheaded by Grammy-winning artist Olivia Rodrigo, has announced it will donate $10 million to its partner organizations. The single-day event, held on August 29th at Great Park in Irvine, California, was inspired by the 1990s Lilith Fair music festivals and aims to celebrate and support women and female-fronted artists while championing causes related to women and girls.
A Festival Dedicated to Empowerment
Daisy Chain Fields brought together a diverse lineup of acclaimed artists across two stages, featuring prominent names such as Chappell Roan, Bikini Kill, Doechii, Garbage, Mitski, The Breeders, Santigold, and Rachel Chinouriri. The festival also included performances by Die Spitz, Eli, Not For Radio, and Quiet Light. Adding to the star power, special guests Karen O, Sarah McLachlan, and Stevie Nicks were also part of the event. Olivia Rodrigo herself performed, closing out the festival.
Rodrigo expressed her vision for the festival, stating it was “created to celebrate the power of what can happen when we come together to support one another.” She extended gratitude to everyone involved, including ticket buyers, artists who waived their fees, sponsors, and donors, all of whom contributed to reaching the $10 million fundraising goal.
Benefiting Critical Women’s Organizations
The substantial funds raised will be distributed among several non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting and advocating for women and girls. These partners include:
- Baby2Baby
- Black Mamas Matter Alliance
- Center For Reproductive Rights
- FreeFrom
- Johns Hopkins Center For Indigenous Health
- National Women’s Law Center
- Planned Parenthood
These organizations are engaged in vital work across the United States and globally, addressing critical issues such as reproductive rights, maternal health, economic empowerment, domestic violence prevention, and gender equity. Beyond the musical performances, the festival offered attendees educational resources, community art experiences, fan pop-ups, and immersive installations focused on these important themes.
Rodrigo’s Ongoing Advocacy
Olivia Rodrigo has consistently used her public platform to advocate for reproductive rights and speak out against restrictive abortion laws. In early 2024, she launched a reproductive rights initiative aimed at supporting “all women, girls and people seeking reproductive health freedom.” A portion of the proceeds from her “Guts” world tour was designated for this fund.
Her activism has sometimes drawn criticism. In 2024, she distributed contraceptive kits, including condoms, Plan B pills, and information on abortion access, at her concerts in Missouri, a state with strict abortion laws. This action led to backlash from some political figures, including Missouri State Senator Bill Eigel, who publicly condemned her actions. Following the controversy, local abortion organizers reported being prohibited from distributing similar kits at her shows.
Prior to these events, during her performance at Glastonbury in 2022, Rodrigo dedicated her song ‘Fuck You’ to the US Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, emphasizing that “our bodies should never be in the hands of politicians.”
Festival Lineup and Artist Updates
The Daisy Chain Fields festival featured a curated lineup designed to highlight female talent. While the event proceeded with its planned roster, the band KATSEYE had to withdraw shortly before the festival due to an ankle injury sustained by member Megan Skiendiel during tour rehearsals.
Following the festival, Rodrigo is scheduled to embark on her “Unraveled” world tour, commencing in North America and later extending to London in April. The tour promises to showcase her latest work and engage fans globally.
Rodrigo’s recent musical output includes the official release of her politically charged song ‘Serena Joy’ on streaming platforms. This track was previously available only as part of a limited-edition CD run.
