When the lineup for Olivia Rodrigo’s inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival was first unveiled in June, the sheer scale of the roster—featuring artists ranging from Chappell Roan, Doechii, and Mitski to legends like the Breeders, Bikini Kill, Garbage, Karen O, Sarah McLachlan, and Stevie Nicks—seemed almost too impressive to be real. The one-day event, scheduled for August 29 at the Great Park in Irvine, California, represents an intergenerational celebration of women in music, carefully curated by Rodrigo herself.
Rather than relying on traditional booking agents, Rodrigo personally reached out to every performer. Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson recalled the direct approach, noting that it is highly unusual for an artist to handle such outreach personally. Manson praised Rodrigo for her humility, noting that the younger star recognizes her place as a contributor to a broader musical lineage rather than claiming to reinvent the wheel. This collaborative spirit is reflected in the festival’s design: there is no hierarchy among the acts, with no overlapping sets and every artist’s name presented in the same typeface and size on promotional materials.
For newer artists like Eli, who is playing her first festival, the invitation came via a surprise FaceTime call from Rodrigo. Eli described the experience as a refreshing departure from the competitive nature of the industry, emphasizing that the event fosters a community where women’s art is valued in a non-capitalist environment. She expressed deep admiration for Rodrigo’s commitment to social causes, particularly the focus on reproductive rights and environmental peace.
The festival serves a dual purpose, with 100% of net proceeds designated for organizations such as Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights. Throughout the event, attendees will find non-profit activations and educational resources focused on reproductive health. This model draws inspiration from historical precedents like the 1976 Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival and Sarah McLachlan’s Lilith Fair, the latter of which served as a direct influence for Rodrigo. McLachlan, who was the first person Rodrigo contacted during the planning stages, is slated to perform both a solo set and a collaborative performance with the host.
Manson, who declined an invitation to play Lilith Fair in the 1990s, sees a heightened urgency in the current climate. She noted that while she may have felt optimistic about progress for women decades ago, the current global regression of women’s rights makes the festival feel like a vital response to a crisis point. This sentiment is echoed by Chappell Roan, who is set to perform immediately preceding Rodrigo. Roan is simultaneously launching her own two-night charity fundraiser, the Super Graphic Spectacular, in October, with all proceeds benefiting LGBTQ+ mutual-aid funds.
Roan expressed that being asked to participate in Daisy Chain Fields was an honor, viewing the festival as a crucial safe space for inclusivity and joy. She emphasized that the charitable component is central to her own project, stating that giving back to the community that supports her is what sustains her career. For these artists, the festival is more than just a series of performances; it is a platform to demonstrate how major live events can transcend ticket sales to advocate for meaningful change.
As Eli observed, the assembly of such a diverse group of musicians offers a vision for the future. She expressed hope that Rodrigo’s efforts will help lead current and future generations toward a more harmonious world, characterized by what she describes as a community of strange girls and happy hearts. The report also notes that and thought: how, i saw the post confirmed on Rodrigo’s Instagram. The report also notes that “I told her it was very unusual for an agent not to be doing that.” Rodrigo isn’t shy about her influences, and has gushed about Garbage’s music as an inspiration for her own. The report also notes that “And unlike many artists, she doesn’t say she’s inventing the wheel; she knows she’s just a spoke within it,” said Manson. The report also notes that rodrigo has earned the regard of some of the world’s most respected musicians partly for this reason: she had a feature with Robert Smith on her latest album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, and has duetted with the Smashing Pumpkins and Sheryl Crow. The report also notes that “It creates a necessary and refreshing culture of community, setting up women’s art to be received and valued in a less competitive and capitalist environment,” said Eli, the pop artist whose music answers the question: what if Ashlee Simpson, but camp. The report also notes that forcing her to pull over, she was driving home from a writing session when Rodrigo FaceTimed her.