Organizing the inaugural YOLA Fest was a bumpy ride for Lykke Li, but she managed to make it happen and is now opening up about the whole experience.
This all-female festival was initially scheduled to take place in June, but it ended up being rescheduled to August 18th after a couple of delays. Cat Power and Courtney Love headlined the event alongside Li, and the lineup also included rising stars Megan Thee Stallion, Sophie, and Cupcakke.
In addition to featuring female performers, this festival was organized by the I Follow Rivers singer and her friend Yola Jimenez and also welcomed women chefs, mixologists, artists, and speakers.
Lykke Li made it clear it was never an attempt to exclude anyone, but to put the emphasis on amazing work created by female artists. “I definitely want to emphasize that this is a festival where we highlight women, but it’s not a festival for only women. This is really a place to connect… I think so much in the world now is about technology and disconnection, so [this is] just a place to be present,” Li told Rolling Stone.
