During her inaugural Daisy Chain Fields music festival, singer Olivia Rodrigo announced that Melinda French Gates would match all donations, effectively doubling the event's fundraising total to $20 million for women-focused nonprofits. The surprise pledge came before Rodrigo's headlining set at the festival held in Irvine, California.
Rodrigo initially revealed that the festival had raised $10 million for various organizations. She expressed gratitude to the performing artists who participated for free and highlighted the importance of empowering women and girls. "I really believe that giving women the tools to decide their own futures and live healthy lives free of violence and discrimination is the most effective tool we have at changing the world for the better," Rodrigo told the festival attendees.
Rodrigo introduced Gates as one of the most inspiring women she has ever met, commending her dedication to empowering women and girls. "She's generous and brave and has done so much good in this world, and I’m totally floored because as well as being in attendance here tonight, she’s pledged to double every dollar that we made here today to a grand total of funds being donated to $20 million," Rodrigo said.
Gates, in turn, praised Rodrigo for her initiative. "Look at what you have done! Look at what you created!" Gates exclaimed on stage. "What I love about you is that you know that real power is not up here on stage, it's with everybody there, all of you. When women and girls come together to dream and to lead, we change the world."
The funds raised will be distributed equally among ten organizations: 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.
The festival featured performances by artists including Chappell Roan, Garbage, Doechii, Not For Radio, the Breeders, Bikini Kill, Quiet Light, Rachel Chinouriri, and Eli. Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morissette, and Sarah McLachlan also joined Rodrigo on stage for duets. Rodrigo cited Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair as an inspiration for creating Daisy Chain Fields.
Katseye was scheduled to perform but canceled due to a member's ankle injury. The festival announced its initial $10 million fundraising figure during a press conference the day before the event.