Daisy Chain Fields Is a Really Big Deal
Written by Daphne Bryant
I have only ever been to one music festival in my life. While I enjoyed the experience, I have avoided others because the idea of them generally makes me anxious. I think of the big crowds, unbearable heat, sensory overload and sky-high prices, and it just sounds like an overstimulating nightmare. That being said, Olivia Rodrigo’s brand new single-day music festival may just bring me out of my cave.
Daisy Chain Fields debuts on August 29th in Irvine, California with an all-women roster, including Rodrigo herself, Doechii, Mitski, Bikini Kill, Eli and many other icons from all genres and generations. Beyond stellar live performances, Daisy Chain Fields will offer educational resources, platform community art, and feature immersive installations focused on gender equity, reproductive rights, and maternal health. One hundred percent of the net proceeds will be donated to nonprofits that advocate for women and girls. And, general admission is a totally reasonable price! It is quite literally the music festival of my dreams.
According to Rodrigo, the festival’s name likens women to daisies (wild and beautiful), and its philosophy emphasizes community care and solidarity:“ As a chain, [daisies] are strong and unbreakable.” In my opinion, Daisy Chain Fields is the perfect example of how powerful girlhood is, and it is a continuation of all the groundbreaking festivals that came before. Earlier this year Dreamworldgirl Zine interviewed Simone, the founder of GIRL NOISE. GIRL NOISE is an NYC-based music festival for and by girls, and in our interview she cited influential 90s festivals like Lilith Fair as key inspirations. Like Lilith Fair and GIRL NOISE, Daisy Chain Fields has the potential to put women-focused festivals front and center, back in the mainstream. The timing feels anything but accidental.
Under a presidential administration that continuously attacks women and our rights, it feels as though American society is moving backwards. Gender-based violence is an ever-pressing crisis, funding for programs that support women and families is constantly being debated, and in many states we are denied autonomy over our own bodies. That’s why spaces dedicated to female empowerment and education are so essential: they provide knowledge, resources and support that our government and many industries, such as entertainment, do not. Although female artists dominate charts and shape popular culture, festival lineups continue to skew disproportionately male, and women working behind the scenes are often disrespected. Festivals like Daisy Chain Fields challenge that reality by proving that women are the culture. With help from her team, Rodrigo is creating an environment where attendees and performers alike will feel safe and represented. It’s admirable, it’s beautiful, and it’s going to make a real splash.
So yes: we all know that Olivia Rodrigo is a certified (riot) pop princess, but this new venture proves she’s also a community organizer committed to change. Daisy Chain Fields will transform live music into a vehicle for advocacy, bringing together art, activism, and community in a way that feels both joyful and urgent. Collective action is necessary, and I, for one, am beyond excited to see and hear more.
