At Daisy Chain Fields, Olivia Rodrigo Puts Women Center Stage
- Melia Franks
- 49 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The sold-out Irvine festival pairs an all-women lineup with a mission to raise money and awareness for organizations supporting women and girls.
On Saturday, Aug. 29, the Great Park in Irvine will host the inaugural Daisy Chain Fields Festival, founded by pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo. The single-day event, located at the growing, yet nebulous Great Park, will feature an all-women lineup with 14 performances along with food, art installations and major fundraising outreach.
Rodrigo announced Daisy Chain Fields shortly after the release of her third album, “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in June. The tickets for the festival sold out in just 30 minutes after going on sale June 24.
More than 45,000 concertgoers are expected to attend Daisy Chain Fields, making it one of the largest events ever held at Great Park, which itself is Orange County’s biggest public park. The festival will use multiple areas of the park, including Great Park Live, the city-owned amphitheater operated by PSQ Productions, as well as additional park space where the festival’s main stage will be built to accommodate the expanded capacity of up to 45,000 fans.
Melissa Haley, director of communications and engagement for the city of Irvine, said the city, Irvine Police Department, C3 Presents and other community partners, including Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol, have been meeting regularly to develop a traffic and operational plan.
Concertgoers who pre-purchased on-site parking passes should have received them by mail in advance. Those without parking passes can use shuttles from UC Irvine or OC Vibe, or use rideshare services. Anyone who attempts to enter the park without a parking pass will be turned away at road closures, Haley said.
The city is also encouraging attendees to bike or take the train. Residents who live near Great Park are being provided with Dash Passes so they can access their neighborhoods during street closures.
After the concert, shuttle buses will continue running until all guests have left the park. The final set is scheduled to end at 10 p.m.
“I would expect some congestion leaving the park, as with any normal large-scale venue event,” Haley said.
Daisy Chain Fields will include performances from Chappell Roan, Doechii, Katseye, Mitski, the Breeders, Die Spitz, Bikini Kill, Eli, Garbage, Quiet Light, Rachel Chinouriri and Not For Radio. Daisy Chain Fields will also feature special guests Karen O, Stevie Nicks and Sarah McLachlan.
Roan, known for her breakout pop anthems “Pink Pony Club,” “Red Wine Supernova” and “Casual” will be performing on the Dandelion Stage.
Grammy-winning hip-hop and R&B artist Doechii is known for songs including “Denial Is A River” and “What It Is (Block Boy).” The latter single, featuring Kodak Black, reached the Billboard Hot 100.
Katseye is an international girl group formed through Hybe and Geffen Records’ Dream Academy project. The global girl group just released its third EP, “Wild,” on Aug.14.
The bill also features the influential punk rock band Bikini Kill which pioneered the “riot grrrl” movement, and alternative rock band The Breeders, led by Kim Deal. Garbage, fronted by Scottish singer Shirley Manson, will perform as well on the Marigold Stage.
The festival will have non-overlapping set times across the Dandelion and Marigold stages — which are about a 10-minute walk from one another — allowing attendees to see any and all acts they want.
In an interview with ABC News' Diane Sawyer on "Good Morning America,” Rodrigo said all of the artists on the bill are performing for free and that 100% of the net proceeds will go to charities dedicated to advancing and advocating for women and girls.
Rodrigo has pointed to Lilith Fair as a major inspiration for Daisy Chain Fields. Founded by McLachlan in 1997, Lilith Fair challenged an industry that frequently sidelined female artists and created something that highlighted women’s artistry, power and influence.
During its original run from 1997 to 1999, the Lilith Fair music tour raised more than $10 million for national and local charities, specifically supporting women’s organizations, shelters and health initiatives.
McLachlan is one of Daisy Chain Fields’ special guests, along with Stevie Nicks and Karen O. Rodrigo has said McLachlan was one of the first people she contacted when she decided to create the festival.
Rodrigo first announced Daisy Chain Fields on Instagram, stating, “I firmly believe that joy, community, and music can be the drivers of meaningful change and I’m hopeful this festival will be just that.”
Rodrigo’s commitment to women and girls extends far beyond the bill. Some of the organizations that the Daisy Chain Fields is partnering with include 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.
Emily Escobar, public affairs advocacy manager for Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino counties, said Rodrigo reached out to Planned Parenthood Federation of America about getting involved with the festival and raising awareness of the organization’s work.
“I think right now, at a time when we’re seeing the impacts of the attacks on reproductive healthcare and other important issues, funding is so important,” Escobar said.
Escobar said having Rodrigo use her platform to raise awareness of Planned Parenthood and other organizations is especially significant right now. With recent funding cuts, Escobar said organizations like Planned Parenthood have suffered.
“Music is such a great way to invoke advocacy and to get folks to get involved,” Escobar continued. “I just think right now is the perfect moment for all folks to get involved in this movement. We really appreciate Olivia Rodrigo and the Daisy Chain Fields Festival for uplifting these critical issues.”
Daisy Chain Fields
When: Saturday, Aug. 29, 11:20 a.m.-10 p.m.
Where: Great Park, 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine
Tickets: Sold out; waitlist available
Information: daisychainfields.com
Performing on the Dandelion Stage:
Eli: 11:55 a.m.-12:25 p.m.
Santigold: 1:05-1:35 p.m.
Katseye: 2:15-2:45 p.m.
Mitski: 3:40-4:20 p.m.
Doechii: 5:20-6 p.m. (ASL interpreted)
Chappell Roan: 7-7:40 p.m. (ASL interpreted)
Olivia Rodrigo & special guests: 8:40-10 p.m. (ASL interpreted)
Performing on the Marigold Stage:
Quiet Light: 11:20-11:50 a.m.
Rachel Chinouriri: 12:30-1 p.m.
Die Spitz: 1:40-2:10 p.m.
Bikini Kill: 2:50-3:30 p.m. (ASL interpreted)
The Breeders: 4:30-5:10 p.m. (ASL interpreted)
Garbage: 6:10-6:50 p.m. (ASL interpreted)
Not For Radio: 7:50-8:30 p.m.
