Daisy Chain Fields 2026: An empowering festival review
When the sun sets over Southern California, it doesn’t just set; it blooms. High above Great Park in Irvine, California, an orange hot air balloon drifts into view, marking a moment where music, history, and radical feminism converge: Olivia Rodrigo’s inaugural Daisy Chain Fields music festival.
This isn’t just a one-day extravaganza; it’s a statement. With an all-women lineup, the festival is dedicated to causes that matter, committing one hundred per cent of its net proceeds to ten nonprofit organizations focused on advancing and advocating for women and girls.
Daisy Chain Fields echoes a powerful lineage of female-led music movements. It pays homage to the legacy of Lilith Fair, the all-women festival of the late nineties, and honors legends like Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette, and Stevie Nicks. Olivia Rodrigo herself kicked off the celebration by honoring McLachlan as a special guest, showcasing a deep commitment to feminist foremothers in music.
The stage is a vibrant tapestry of generations and genres. The bill spans from rock legends like Bikini Kill, Garbage, and The Breeders, to contemporary pop stars such as Chappell Roan and Doechii, alongside rising talents like Eli and metal band Die Spitz. This intergenerational solidarity forms the backbone of the festival, reminding everyone that the fight for a more just music industry is a continuous, powerful movement.
The festival grounds themselves are a living testament to this spirit. The Daisy Lane pathway is decorated end to end with quotes and achievements from women pioneers across myriad fields, and the park features nine stunning art installations by women. Even the social commentary is on full display, with the Guerilla Girls’ “complaint department” set up, offering a space for concertgoers to air their grievances about the state of the world.
Beyond the spectacle, the music delivered unforgettable energy. Moments like Die Spitz dancing with the crowd, Doechii’s high-energy performance, and Mitski’s powerhouse vocals showcased the sheer emotional force of the event. It was a celebration of anthemic hits, raw emotion, and fearless artistry.
A standout moment involved Eli, whose sweat-drenched, salacious pop music channeled the biggest hits of the early 2000s. Her closing remarks, calling for people to “tear down the ruling class,” firmly rooted her performance in her convictions, signaling an artist poised for massive future achievements.
The evening reached its emotional crescendo with Olivia Rodrigo’s closing set. She opened by announcing that Daisy Chain Fields had raised $10 million for their nonprofit partners, a figure that will be matched by philanthropist Melinda French Gates. The crowd’s jubilation poured into the performance, featuring fan-favourites from her record including ‘Sour‘ and ‘Guts‘, and the live debut of her new single ‘Serena Joy‘.
The closing moment saw Rodrigo share the stage with special guests, including a duet with Sarah McLachlan on ‘Building a Mystery‘ and ‘Angel‘. The ultimate gesture came when Rodrigo and Stevie Nicks joined forces for a spellbinding rendition of ‘Landslide‘ under a nearly full moon, harmonizing the words, “Even children get older/And I’m getting older, too.” It was a beautiful, powerful reminder that when women come together, they create a chain as strong as a daisy.
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