The inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival made its debut on Saturday, August 29, in Irvine, California, celebrating a lineup comprised exclusively of female artists and female-fronted bands. The event marked a significant moment in the contemporary music scene and paid homage to the legacy of female empowerment in music.
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Headlining the festival was Olivia Rodrigo, the pop sensation known for her hits like “drivers license” and “good 4 u”. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone published on September 3, Rodrigo expressed her excitement over receiving support from Sarah McLachlan, the iconic singer-songwriter who co-founded the Lilith Fair—a groundbreaking all-female music festival—in 1997. Rodrigo revealed that McLachlan was the first person she reached out to while planning Daisy Chain Fields, highlighting the deep respect she holds for the Canadian artist.
Sharing her nerves ahead of the call, Rodrigo recounted her thoughts, saying, “I was so nervous to call you, and I was really cold, huddling by my fireplace in my house. I was like, ‘Just do it! Just do it! She’s going to be really nice!'” To Rodrigo’s delight, McLachlan was not only supportive but excited to hear about the festival’s inception. “I felt joy and elation in an instant,” McLachlan said, recalling her immediate enthusiasm upon hearing about Rodrigo’s plans.
For Rodrigo, the idea of the festival had been nurturing within her for several years. She described it as being “so important” to her that she felt hesitant to articulate it. “It’s an intersection of all of my favourite things,” she said, reflecting on witnessing the powerful connections between women during her performances. Additionally, she has long been passionate about women’s rights and reproductive healthcare, making the festival’s purpose even more meaningful.
The influence of Lilith Fair continued to resonate with Rodrigo, who shared that she had felt envious of those who had the opportunity to attend and perform at the influential festival during her teenage years. “I just thought it was the coolest thing ever,” she recalled, reflecting on how McLachlan’s initiative had paved the way for similar cultural moments.
The festival itself featured a bevy of talented musicians aside from Rodrigo and McLachlan, including Chappell Roan, Mitski, Bikini Kill, Garbage, the Breeders, and Santigold, among others. Each performance contributed to the festival’s mission of promoting female artistry, with surprise appearances from respected figures like Alanis Morissette enhancing the sense of celebration.
A particularly emotional moment occurred during Rodrigo’s set when McLachlan joined her on stage for a duet of McLachlan’s beloved song “Angel”. As the performance unfolded, McLachlan took a moment to remember the late Dolly Parton, who had recently passed away. “I wanna dedicate this song tonight to the OG, matriarch, beautiful goddess of country music,” McLachlan stated, acknowledging Parton’s profound impact on the industry and her philanthropic efforts.
After their duet, a tribute appeared on the screen proclaiming, “We will always love you, Dolly,” alongside an image of Parton, further connecting the festival’s celebration of female artists with an homage to a revered figure in the genre.
Daisy Chain Fields has been described as a modern evolution of the Lilith Fair, aiming to uplift and amplify female voices in the music industry today. As the festival drew to a close, attendees left feeling inspired and connected, embodying the very spirit Rodrigo and McLachlan envisioned when creating this empowering event.
In a landscape where music festivals predominantly feature male-led lineups, Daisy Chain Fields stands as a triumphant example of the power and importance of female representation. As the echoes of this groundbreaking event linger on, it heralds a hopeful future for women in music, promising greater visibility and recognition for female talents in the years to come.