It was supposed to be a celebration of women in music. Instead, the finale of Olivia Rodrigo’s first Daisy Chain Fields festival turned into a test of patience, with thousands of fans stranded for hours after the last set.
A $20 million festival with a nightmare exit
The single-day benefit festival at the Great Park in Irvine raised at least $20 million for nonprofits supporting women and girls, Rodrigo announced on stage. But after the music stopped, the sold-out crowd of more than 45,000 faced long rideshare waits, packed parking lots and spotty cell service, with many forced to walk for miles at night to catch a ride home.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Attendance | 45,000+ (sold out) |
| Money raised | At least $20 million |
| On-site parking | $95 |
| Shuttle from Honda Center/UCI | $50 |
| Typical Great Park concert cap | 10,000 |
Why the exit went wrong
City officials had promised a robust plan for traffic and parking, but the sheer demand overwhelmed it. Attendees paid $95 for on-site parking only to get stuck leaving lots, while those who paid $50 for a shuttle from the Honda Center or UCI also met long delays. Some social media users called it one of the worst festival exits they had ever experienced.
What happens next
Despite the complaints, Irvine’s city leaders called the event a success and confirmed they are in discussions with producer C3 Presents to bring Daisy Chain Fields back next year. Live Nation has owned a 51 percent stake in C3 since 2014. Officials say Marine Way will stay open through next summer to ease traffic, and they plan to study the exit problems before any return. Olivia Rodrigo fans in Manila can look back at our guide to her $20 Silver Star tickets for The Unraveled Tour for the latest on her concert plans.
