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Oli for its all-woman lineup and charitable focus on reproductive rights and fighting gender-based violence
But although some vendors have shared only positive experiences, the festival is coming under fire from two vendors alleging they endured poor working conditions and are still waiting for payment.
The one-day festival brought swarms of fans
The one-day festival brought swarms of fans to Great Park in Irvine, Calif., to see performers including Chappell Roan, Doechii, Mitski, Bikini Kill and Rodrigo herself.
All performers donated their time, with proceeds from the festival going to 10 organizations centering women’s rights, including Planned Parenthood, National Women’s Law Center, Black Mamas Matter and the National Institute for Reproductive Health.
The $10 million US initially raised by the festival was then matched by Melinda French Gates to bring the total to $20 million US.
More than 50 food and drink vendors supported
More than 50 food and drink vendors supported the festival, with several gushing about their experiences in the days following the event.
Bubble tea stall Buo Buo shared on social media in August that it was “a FEMININOMENONAL experience” to vend at the event — a reference to a Chappell Roan song — while Mano Po, which specializes in Filipino cuisine, stated that being part of the event’s inaugural year “feels extra special.”
“As a women- and minority-owned business, being surrounded by women who create, lead, support and uplift each other means so much to us,” its Aug. 31 post reads.
But two vendors shared on Tuesday that their festival experience was far from perfect.
A girl does a cartwheel during the Daisy
A girl does a cartwheel during the Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival at Great Park in Irvine, Calif., on Aug. 29.(Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)
Mary Chacon, owner of Ugly Oats Kitchen, posted on Instagram on Tuesday, saying she hadn’t received proper payment for the event yet, prompting her to share her experience vending at Daisy Chain Fields.
Chacon stated that their point of contact for the festival, DLS Events, only provided piecemeal information on setup, didn’t tell them about a free staff food area, and said the festival would fine them if they ran out of food.
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Oliece of Vancouver in the process
Ugly Oats is a micro-bakery run out
“Ugly Oats is a micro-bakery run out of my apartment. I, as a mom investing my own money, have no extra funds,” Chacon wrote, adding that she was “forever grateful for the opportunity to be present at a historic feminist event,” and that she hoped issues will be resolved for vendors next year.
CBC News has reached out for comment from Rodrigo’s team, as well as C3 Presents, the company that produced the event, and the two companies highlighted by Chacon as managing vendors for the festival: DLS Events and Jetty Event Productions.
Rodrigo performs at Daisy Chain Fields on Aug. 29.(Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)
Shortly after Ugly Oats Kitchen posted on Tuesday, custom fortune cookie company Por Suerte shared in their own post that they had a similar experience at Daisy Chain Fields, alleging poor communication from organizers in the weeks leading up to the event, and that they were also still waiting on payment.
In an update Wednesday, Por Suerte shared
In an update Wednesday, Por Suerte shared that they have heard from organizers and are anticipating payment soon.
Rodrigo hasn’t publicly commented on the criticisms.
Event championed women’s rights
Although charity music festivals aren’t a new concept — from 1985’s Live Aid concert to a virtual festival curated by Lady Gaga to raise money for COVID-19 relief in 2020 — Daisy Chain Fields is the first one to focus on women’s and reproductive rights.
Despite a heat wave sparking concerns and a reported traffic crush from the tens of thousands of fans descending on the park, the event has been lauded as a success, with city leaders telling local media they are already on board to host the event next year.
Rodrigo has been outspoken in the fight
Rodrigo has been outspoken in the fight for reproductive rights, lambasting abortion bans ahead of the Daisy Chain Fields festival as not “pro-life” but “pro-control.” During her GUTS tour in 2024/2025, she partnered with local women-focused charities and donated a portion of her ticket sales. She is currently on the North American leg of her Unraveled tour.
In the wake of the festival, Rodrigo shared on social media that it was “the greatest joy of my career,” saying the event felt like “a collective hope that things can get better and a reminder of how much we really care about people at the end of the day.”
Signs are displayed behind festivalgoers on the Marigold Stage at the Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival.(Chris Pizzello/The Associated Press)
