Sarah McLachlan, renowned for her significant contribution to music, reflects on the challenges she faced with sexism during the time she managed the pioneering all-female music festival, Lilith Fair. This festival, which she founded in 1997, served as a platform to counteract industry sexism and ran until 1999, before briefly resurging in 2010.
Lilith Fair’s aim to celebrate women sparked an immense sense of community among artists, despite McLachlan often encountering misogynistic questions from male disc jockeys during press conferences. She frequently faced questions like, “Why do you hate men?” to which she would respond by emphasizing the festival’s objective to celebrate women, not to exclude men. “Men can celebrate women, too,” McLachlan shared, highlighting the misunderstanding that surrounded the festival’s mission.
Aside from blatant sexism, the festival even stood firm amid bomb threats due to its firm pro-choice stance and representation of Planned Parenthood. Despite these threats, McLachlan chose to persist with the festival, unwilling to be intimidated.
The festival’s diversity was another point of critique, particularly during its inaugural year. McLachlan acknowledged the lack of diversity but emphasized their efforts in including a wide array of artists across various music genres to the best of their ability. Despite starting as a fledgling event, the festival’s success earned them credibility and appeal among artists.
Years later, Lilith Fair remains a subject of interest, as explored in the new documentary, “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – The Untold Story,” directed by Ally Pankiw. The documentary features interviews with original participating artists and newer artists inspired by the festival, revealing the lasting legacy Lilith Fair has imprinted on the music world.
Through her reflection, McLachlan not only illustrates the journey of Lilith Fair but also offers inspiration by showing resilience in the face of adversity. She continues to be a beacon for celebrating women’s accomplishments in music, advocating for diversity, and inflaming conversations about equality in the industry.