# Olivia Rodrigo is rock's fiercest new force

> The pop star has fully embraced her identity as an arena rock powerhouse, channeling decades of feminist punk and goth influences.
- Title: Olivia Rodrigo is rock's fiercest new force · Rolling Stone
- Summary: The pop star has fully embraced her identity as an arena rock powerhouse, channeling decades of feminist punk and goth influences. Rodrigo has transcended…
- Keywords: olivia rodrigo, rock music, arena rock, feminist punk, the cure, robert smith, daisy chain fields festival, women in music, goth rock, nineties rock, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in lov, Olivia
- Source: Rolling Stone — https://rollingstone.com/music/music-features/olivia-rodrigo-rock-star-1235620650
- Author: Rob Sheffield
- Published: 2026-09-17T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: olivia rodrigo, rock music, arena rock, feminist punk, the cure, robert smith, daisy chain fields festival, women in music, goth rock, nineties rock, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in lov
## From Disney to rock royalty
Olivia Rodrigo has rejected the pop princess path to become the most authentic rock and roller of her generation, inspired by nineties feminist punk and grunge.

> There's something so special about rock music made by women. There's a different emotional quality to it.
## Her rock education started early
Her mom woke her up playing Babes in Toyland, and she grew up covering Veruca Salt and Avril Lavigne before joining No Doubt and Sheryl Crow onstage.
## Festival season proved her rock chops
Last year she rampaged through festivals with her all-female band, belting arena anthems and worshipping her guitar heroes Daisy Spencer and Arianna Powell.
## She duetted with her idol Robert Smith
At Glastonbury she performed with the Cure's Robert Smith, calling him England's greatest songwriter. Then she surprised Barcelona's Primavera Festival by bringing him out to debut their duet.

> the greatest songwriter to come out of England
## Her album channels goth and post-punk
You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love digs into eighties and nineties rock: synth buzz, electro-punk aggro, and post-punk guitar jangle inspired by the Cure and Joy Division.
## She's building a festival for women rockers
Daisy Chain Fields celebrates women in music from Stevie Nicks to Bikini Kill to Mitski, upholding the spirit of Lilith Fair with a duet alongside Sarah McLachlan.
## She's staying unrelentingly authentic
Working with producer Dan Nigro from the Long Island emo scene, Rodrigo keeps proving her rock credibility is genuine and unfiltered.
## Key takeaway

Rodrigo has transcended pop stardom to become a genuine rock artist, celebrating women in music while proving she belongs among her heroes.