Culture 4 min read By Trevor Kendall
KATSEYE pull out of Olivia Rodrigo's Daisy Chain festival after member injures ankle
KATSEYE will not perform at Olivia Rodrigo's inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival in Irvine, California, after member Megan Skiendiel sprained her ankle during tour rehearsals. The group shared the news in a statement, and Devon Again will replace them on the lineup.
KATSEYE has withdrawn from Olivia Rodrigo's inaugural Daisy Chain Fields festival, scheduled for Saturday at Great Park in Irvine, California, after member Megan Skiendiel suffered an ankle injury during rehearsals. The girl group announced the news in a statement shared on WeVerse and social media, explaining that doctors advised Skiendiel to stay off her foot so she can recover in time for the group's upcoming tour.
«We're so incredibly sorry to share that we are unable to perform at Daisy Chain Fields this Saturday,» the statement read. «Megan sprained her ankle yesterday during tour rehearsal and after being evaluated by doctors, she has been advised to stay off it and allow it to properly heal so we can be ready for our upcoming tour.» The group added: «We know how much our fans were looking forward to seeing us, and it breaks our hearts to disappoint anyone who made plans to be there. We were especially excited for Daisy Chain Fields because it's not just about music, but the greater mission of joy and community.»
KATSEYE also sent well wishes to Rodrigo and the other artists involved in the event. «We're sending all our love to Olivia and to all of the incredible artists, non-profit organisations and volunteers who have given their time to make this day so special,» the statement continued. «It's going to be such an amazing day, and we can't wait to see everyone out on tour.» The group currently has two members on hiatus, Manon Bannerman and Sophia Laforteza, and Skiendiel's injury adds to a challenging period for the act.
Devon Again will step in to replace KATSEYE on the lineup. The single-day festival brings together women and female-fronted artists across two stages, the Dandelion and Marigold, with performances scheduled so that none of the 14 sets overlap. Rodrigo is set to headline, with Chappell Roan, Bikini Kill, Doechii, Garbage, Mitski, The Breeders, Santigold, Rachel Chinouriri, Die Spitz, Eli, Not For Radio and Quiet Light also on the bill. Special guests Karen O, Sarah McLachlan and Stevie Nicks are scheduled to appear as well.
Rodrigo has described the festival as a celebration of community and connection. Speaking to Good Morning America in June, she said: «When I pictured this festival, I had an image in my head of girls sitting underneath a tree, like, making little daisy chains or flower crowns or friendship bracelets. I also just like the idea of a daisy chain, how we can all be individual links in this chain that is larger than the individual.»
Proceeds from the event will benefit non-profit organisations supporting women and girls, including Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Center For Reproductive Rights, FreeFrom, Johns Hopkins Center For Indigenous Health, National Women's Law Center and Planned Parenthood. The festival will also feature educational resources, community art experiences, local vendors, fan pop-ups and immersive installations, with a focus on reproductive rights, maternal health, economic empowerment, domestic violence prevention and gender equity.
Following the festival, Rodrigo is set to launch her «Unraveled» world tour next month, beginning in North America and arriving at The O2 in London in April. Her latest album, «You Seem Pretty Sad For A Girl So In Love,» received a four-and-a-half-star review from NME, which praised her growth as a songwriter and composer. She recently released the politically charged track «Serena Joy» on streaming platforms after initially selling just 500 CDs exclusively at Analog Record Shop in Tustin, California.
