Recently, Olivia Rodrigo has announced an annual festival she founded, called Daisy Chain Fields. The festival has created buzz with its all-female lineup, featuring artists such as Doechii, Chappell Roan, Mitski, and Devon Again. But the concerts, community, and excitement aren’t the only things that make Daisy Chain Fields special. This festival was created to amplify voices of social change and successfully raised 20 million dollars to support 10 nonprofits.
Olivia Rodrigo mentions in her mission statement for the festival, “Daisy Chain offers more than live performances; it provides opportunities for education, dialogue and engagement around issues affecting women and girls in the United States and globally.” Rodrigo has helped foster this type of movement by partnering with nonprofits such as Planned Parenthood, National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Baby2Baby, just to name a few. All of the proceeds for this festival go directly to the 10 Nonprofit partners.
Learn about the Nonprofits and their missions herehttps://www.daisychainfields.com/non-profit
What’s So Cool About Daisy Chain?
I was so stoked when I saw the announcement for this festival, and as more news came in, I saw just how different it was from anything I had ever seen or attended. For example, Daisy Chain, like many other festivals, inspires excitement in the live music community. Nothing is more joyful than seeing all your favorite artists in one place, dressing up, and hanging out with your friends. But Daisy Chain also includes pop-ups from women-owned Etsy businesses, solely women-owned food vendors, and “art installations and creative installments that inspire action These additional facts SOLD me on wanting to go. Sadly, as a college student from Texas, a day trip to California did not align with my Ochem schedule. Yet somehow, the energy from this festival is felt states away. Exactly the type of reach Rodrigo planned with this festival.
How Did It Get So Popular?
Olivia strategically planned the success of this festival through many tactics. First and foremost, she recently released her newest album, giving her pop culture popularity. She held intimate concerts in New York and Austin, Texas, creating exclusivity and a desire to see her in concert. And speaking of the newly released surprise song, “Serena Joy,” it puts part of this festival’s mission into lyrics on repeat for fans across the globe. This song targets individuals who may be reinforcing harmful laws through ignorance, singing,“If you close your eyes then it can’t be your fault”. Rodrigo calls attention to the harm that will come to all of us if we simply stand back, reinforcing the idea that “If they do it to them, then they’ll do it to you.”
More recently (and maybe my favorite), she released a pink Baja Blast in partnership with Taco Bell, creating attention to her album and recent activity, while also making it accessible to the average consumer. By strategically using advertising and marketing herself as a relevant and accessible artist, she is able to organize a concert such as Daisy Chain Fields and guarantee sold-out tickets.
Just Another Day
While Rodrigo may seem to be just starting her philanthropic journey, the artist has a strong track record of driving change. During her “GUTS” Tour, she partnered with “Fund 4 Good”, which used ticket sales to give back to Nonprofits focused on reproductive rights. During a tour stop in Missouri, Rodrigo also passed out condoms in response to the restrictive reproductive laws announced before she arrived. In 2021, to encourage young people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, she visited Kamala Harris and Joe Biden at the White House. There, she answered questions and addressed misconceptions about the treatment.
Rodrigo is using her platform and fame to promote change and advocacy. Although her story is just one of many other philanthropists.
Rodrigo’s attitude reminded me of Aubrey Hepburn, in that while she still pursues her own dream of becoming a pop star, she makes time to speak out for the underrepresented.
Be The Change
Rodrigo is paving the way for a generation of change as she inspires individuals around the world. Participating in something bigger than yourself has been and will always be cool.
So what are some ways that we can stay involved after the Daisy Chain excitement goes down?
- Make sure you’re registered to vote! (If you moved since last time you voted, you need to re-register. Your voice matters!) Register here. See important election dates here.
- Read, watch, and research local and global news. (Stay informed; knowledge is power)
- Represent change (let yourself be known and heard. The Daisy Chain pins are one example of this, but you can also attend peaceful protests, community organizations, city hall meetings, or
- Snag your own Daisy Chain merch here:
These are a couple of small ways to start your advocacy and social change journey, but the possibilities are limitless. Like Rodrigo said, “Daisies are wild and beautiful. As a chain they are strong and unbreakable”.
Sometimes, it can feel as if one voice in a sea of others makes ours irrelevant. However, it is the harmony of all the voices in the sea that creates a song. Together, we can make a difference and inspire change.