Pioneer for her Generation: Rodrigo Takes Center Stage
By: Drew Ferguson, Staff Writer Edited by: Angiolina Hukovic
A melting dress, a flower field stage, a world tour. Olivia Rodrigo kicked off her Unraveled tour on September 25th, and it’s already delivering several memorable moments. Most notably, during Rodrigo’s third album single, “The Cure,” she is showered in water, which dissolves the white outer dress to reveal a statement red one-piece. Designer Hussein Chalayan stated that this moment was meant to portray the vulnerability expressed in the song, and that it did. Standing as a muse for her generation, Rodrigo crafts lyrics relatable to listeners of any age. It is important for people to find outlets where they feel seen, and Rodrigo does this for many young listeners. After all, not every album can top the Billboard 200 for 2 weeks as Rodrigo’s , you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, did.
Standing out in the music industry, Rodrigo uses her platform to raise awareness of important issues and stand up for what she believes in. The Daisy Chains festival, thrown last summer, was an all-female charity event backed by Rodrigo to raise money for nonprofits that support women and girls. Some of these non profits include Planned Parenthood, Baby2Baby, Center for Reproductive Rights, and Black Mamas Matter Alliance. Daisy Chains raised $10 million for these non-profits, and to the surprise of many, Melinda Gates matched those funds, bringing the total to a shocking $20 million. Rodrigo openly expressed her views by speaking out against the current administration, posing her view on today’s democracy. In fact, just days before the festival, Rodrigo released a single called “Serena Joy,” inspired by Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid's Tale, that criticizes patriarchy in hopes of empowering women.
Ranging from its pop beat to strong words, the song resonated with women all over the world. By pairing Serena Joy with her all-female festival, she was able to turn her beliefs into an interactive moment that the audience could experience rather than just listen to. Many artists even spoke out about the impact this festival had on them. Having so many people gathered together allowed everyone to find something meaningful from the event. The crowd that sold out the stadium in less than 30 minutes saw a purpose in the movement and the moment, a purpose that presented itself because Rodrigo chose to commit to what she feels is right. It’s a strong representation of character when someone can speak their mind and help others to do the same.
However, Rodrigo was not the first artist to create an all-female festival; she took inspiration from the Lilith Festival, a 1997 all-female show put on by singer Sarah McLachlan. Rodrigo and McLachlan demonstrate how important it is for women in the spotlight to use their platforms to spread uplifting messages and inspire women all over the world.
One iconic thing that Olivia Rodrigo does is reintroduce her older artists to her newer fanbase. Most notably, while headlining the 2025 Glastonbury festival, she performed with big artists like Robert Smith from the popular band The Cure. They performed two of The Cure’s most popular songs, “Just like Heaven,” and “Friday I’m in Love.” Robert Smith is also Rodrigo’s first featured artist on one of her albums, appearing in “What’s wrong with me?” on her third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love. In addition to this, Rodrigo has performed with many other bands and artists, including Weezer, Avril Lavigne, Stevie Nicks, Billy Joel, No Doubt, David Byrne and more. She strives not only to fit into the rock aesthetic created by her predecessors, but also incorporates their sound, style, and energy into the current world of contemporary pop.
Many of these groups and artists reached their peak in the late 1900’s and early 2000’s, before much of Rodrigo’s fanbase had even been born. Rodrigo is able to diversify and introduce her younger Gen Z and Alpha audiences to these artists that lie beyond the current mainstream. This helps create a deeper, more niche audience during a time when so much of the world exists within their own bubble of interest. Individuality is a foundational concept that many are forgetting in a world of social media and trend culture. Rodrigo stands to break this mold, and encourages others to do it right along with her.
And it’s working.
Her current tour, The Unraveled Tour, has 80 touring spots around the globe. All venues have been sold out of face-value tickets. The tour takes you through her albums in relation to the seasons, utilizing a stage full of flowers to symbolize the changing of emotions. The sequence is both emotional and electric. Each night Rodrigo blends her haunting ballads with upbeat rock songs, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats in anticipation of what’s to come. The practical effects, like snow and rain falling from the ceiling, help Rodrigo create a mystical concert atmosphere.
Olivia Rodrigo is pushing the musical bounds that society lives in today, and inspiring others (mainly females) to go right along with her. There is no doubt that her career will continue to blossom with her success, and Rodrigo will bring her spunk and philanthropic ideals right along with her.
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