Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery

If you are a fan of Sarah McLachlan, attended Lilith Fair back in the late 90's you already know the story. This doc sheds more light on what happened behind the scenes. How Sarah changed history for women musicians and frankly, they should all be thanking her like Brandi Carlile does. As the credits role Sarah is singing a new song from her new album; a US tour is scheduled. Then, there's a glimpse into her school, The Sarah McLachlan School of Music. A tremendous light for students! A worthy place to donate. Bravo!

I am a straight White Male, and I went to the Lilith Fair show in 1998 in Camden when I was in my late 30's. I went primarily for Sarah McLachlan, but it was nice to see Natalie Merchant there as well. Rounding out the Main Stage was Missy Elliott, Liz Phair, and the Indigo Girls.

Most of their description of the show was accurate, although I don't think there was any final song when I was there when everyone comes out and sings. I would have loved to see that.

So I was glad I went to the show. It was a fun day. There weren't too many men there, but there definitely were men there. I want to say it was 75%-80% women and the rest men? Just a guess after all these years.

So I don't think I'm some sort of "evolved" person because I was a guy who went to the show. I went to listen to Sarah McLachlan, and enjoyed her set, and enjoyed the concept. I didn't go to make some political statement about gender issues, abortion, LGBTQ+, etc. And I don't think the vast majority of people who were there were making a political statement either. It was to enjoy the music.

And that's the problem I had with this documentary. From the first few minutes, you could see the Victim Card and the Gender Card being played. Oh, let's feel sorry for all the female artists out there, because they're not being played as much on radio as they think they should be. Oh, let's feel sorry for Shawn Colvin, Paula Cole and Sarah McLachlan at the Grammys because they had to perform their nominated songs as a medley rather than as individual songs. Oh, let's feel sorry for Lilith Fair because SNL made a joke about it on one of their shows. How everyone was so thin-skinned about Lilith Fair was stunning. You would think they should have awarded Sarah McLachlan the Nobel Peace Prize for organizing Lilith Fair!

And as I said at the top, I was in my late 30's when I saw it, so I was well-aware of the world at that time, and let me tell you, while we might be more evolved now on gender issues then in the 90's, the 90's weren't exactly all housewives either. Women were elected as Senators and Governors, and Supreme Court Justices. Stop it already playing the Victim Card. It was a great concert series for three years, and everyone should be proud of themselves who participated in it and helped out in it and organized it. That's what the ultimate message of the movie should have been.

As "Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery" (2025 release from Canada; 99 min.) opens, we are backstage at the very first Lilith Fair show, in summer 1997. We then go back in time and are introduced to Sarah McLaughlin, as she grew up in Halifax under a very strict mother. Sarah couldn't wait to get out from there, and she eventually did, and how! She became a global star, and very soon started toying with doing a festival with nothing but female solo artists or female-led bands. At this point we are less than 10 minutes in the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is directed by Canadian Ally Pankiw. She received the full cooperation of Sarah McLaughlin and reportedly sifted through hundreds of hours of archive footage. The thought that the 1st Lilith Fair happened almost 30 years is a bit overwhelming to be honest. Many of the artists that participated in the 3 Lilith Fairs are interviewed today: Paula Cole, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, the Indigo Girls, Tracy Chapman, and on and on. I was a recently divorced dad in 1997, and as soon as I saw the lineup I knew I wanted/needed, to go. I took my then 7 1/2 yo daughter with me. We saw all three Lilith Fairs that played at Riverbend here in Cincinnati in 97-98-99, and we had a blast. At one of the shows (I don't remember which exact year), we ran in the music critic of the Cincinnati Enquirer, a guy I knew as I saw him frequently at various shows. We struck up a conversation, and he ended up "interviewing" my daughter. Can you imagine how she felt? As the documentary concluded, I also couldn't help but wince when I see what has become of this country since the late 90's, with half the country determined to decimate women's health and other rights, deny/bash the LGTBQ community, trample voting rights, etc. If someone had predicted this in the Lilith Fair era, nobody would have believe it. That aside, this outstanding documentary is long overdue, but better late than never.

"Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery" premiered at this year's Toronto International Film Festival to immediate critical acclaim. The film is currently rated 100% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. It started streaming in late September (unbeknownst to me). When I stumbled on it a few days ago on Hulu, I immediately watched it. If you were at any of the Lilith Fair shows, or if you are just now becoming familiar with the now-legendary Lilith Fair, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Wow! Just wow!

I'm so moved by the doc ...honestly I'm not sure I can be terribly eloquent I'm so moved!

What Sarah created is remarkable. To see what these women participated in.

You literally MUST SEE this.

It's so inspiring.

It's also incredibly enjoyable to hear these classic songs that we all know and love.

What a wonderful documentary and great behind the scenes look at the Lilith Fair experience. The interviews and concert footage was neatly woven into a compelling narrative, illustrating the challenges faced to get it off the ground, the highs of the performances and the shifting face of America as it came to an end.