Melinda French Gates stuns festival crowd, pledges to match Olivia Rodrigo's fundraising for $20M haul
Olivia Rodrigo's first music festival, Daisy Chain Fields, has raised a combined $20 million for women-focused nonprofits after philanthropist Melinda French Gates pledged to match every dollar raised at the event.
The festival, held in Irvine, California, featured Rodrigo as the headlining performer. During a press conference held before the event, the pop singer announced that the initial fundraising effort had brought in $10 million. Later, from the stage, she revealed that French Gates would double that amount, pushing the total to $20 million.
Rodrigo told the crowd that she was grateful to every artist who performed throughout the day without compensation. She also spoke about why she felt the cause was important, saying she wants to give women the resources to shape their own futures.
"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 said.
French Gates, the former wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, then joined Rodrigo on stage. She praised the singer and the audience for creating something meaningful.
"Look at what you have done," French Gates told Rodrigo. "Look at what you created!"
"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," French Gates added. "When women and girls come together to dream and to lead, we change the world."
Rodrigo described French Gates as "one of the most inspiring women I've ever met," highlighting her work supporting women and girls who might otherwise be overlooked.
Ten organizations will share the $20 million equally: 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's lineup featured a range of female and female-led acts. Chappell Roan, Garbage, Doechii, Not For Radio, the Breeders, Bikini Kill, Quiet Light, Rachel Chinouriri, and Eli all performed during the day. Rodrigo, who first announced the festival in June, cited Sarah McLachlan's Lilith Fair as the inspiration behind the event.
McLachlan joined Rodrigo on stage for a duet, as did Stevie Nicks and Alanis Morissette. Girl group Katseye was originally scheduled to perform in the afternoon but canceled after member Megan Skiendiel suffered an ankle injury. Three members of the group made a brief appearance to introduce Devon Again, the act that stepped in to fill their time slot.
