Girls to the front
On August 29th, Olivia Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields made its debut in Irvine, California. The brand-new music festival featured a lineup of all-female artists, from Chappell Roan to Stevie Nicks. The Midwest Princess and The Queen of Rock & Roll? I’m green with envy.
It’s no wonder that 45,000 fans gathered under the blazing-hot sun — leather boots and all. We have got to start scheduling these events in October. Some of us burn easily.
DaisY Chain reaction
Beyond the music, Rodrigo geared Daisy Chain Fields towards political change and activism.
In fact, the festival’s net proceeds were directed towards reproductive health, domestic violence resources, legal justice, and more. Rodrigo brought ten different organizations to the limelight, and attendees responded. The single-day event yielded $20 million in fundraising. Now, that’s what I’m talking about.
Among the non profits represented were Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Center For Reproductive Rights, FreeFrom, JHPIEGO, Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Institute For Reproductive Health, National Women’s Law Center, and Planned Parenthood.
Rather than being confined to a pop-up booth, representatives were given the stage to share their missions and spread awareness. Compared to overly commercialized festivals, Daisy Chain Fields is a breath of fresh air.
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting sick of the brand-frenzied, influencer circus. Of course, I’m excluding the pink Baja Blast sold at Daisy Chain Fields (sign me up!).
It’s refreshing to see Rodrigo use her influence for real change.
serena joy
While we’re on the topic of spreading the message, let’s talk Serena Joy. Just days before Daisy Chain Fields kicked off, Rodrigo released a single titled Serena Joy after a character of the same name from Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.
In the novel and TV series, Serena Joy is complicit in upholding an oppressive regime. The patriarchal system strips women of their freedom until Serena ironically loses her own.
As you can see, the promotional cover contains lyrics, rather than your standard album art. The Instagram comment section took notice as well. One comment shared, “she [Rodrigo] wants you to pay attention to the message, not her.” I thought that was brilliant. Rodrigo seemed to agree as she debuted it live for the festival audience.
The blueprint
If there’s one thing Rodrigo does well, it’s giving credit where credit is due. Her message may be loud and clear, but others fought hard for it to be heard. For one, the lineup pays homage to the women of the ’90s who paved the way: Bikini Kill, Garbage, The Breeders, Alanis Morissette, and Sarah McLachlan.
Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields was directly inspired by McLachlan’s Lilith Fair — an all-female music festival/concert tour that broke the mold and the mainstream in 1997. McLachlan conceived the idea from a place of frustration, when radio programmers refused to play female artists back-to-back.
Lilith Fair wasn’t the first all-female festival, but it was the first to achieve large-scale commercial success. Artists including Fiona Apple, Sheryl Crow, and Tracy Chapman were among those who made waves.
During the early stages of festival planning, Rodrigo called McLachlan to receive her blessing. It was granted without hesitation.
Looking back
I hate to break it to you, but nothing is isolated. Literally everything we know and love exists in a greater context.
When Bikini Kill pioneered the idea of Riot Grrrl in the early ’90s, distributing DIY zines, they could have never known what it would become thirty-five years later. Rodrigo was paying attention though. Daisy Chain Fields had its very own zine covering various artists and social issues. That’s true appreciation right there. A nod to the formidable forces who made it possible.
Lasting Impression
Daisy Chain Fields was a celebration of artistry and empowerment. Olivia Rodrigo brought activism to the center stage, spreading awareness through fundraising and her own poignant lyrics. On top of that, her regard for the female artists who began the movement was evident.
Women like Sarah McLachlan lit the match, opening up a world of possibilities. Now, Olivia Rodrigo is keeping the flame alight, one that has burned across generations.
