Lilith Fair Documentary Explores Legacy of Groundbreaking Festival
The new documentary “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – The Untold Story,” produced by ABC News Studios, dives into the history of the influential all-female music festival, Lilith Fair. Founded by Sarah McLachlan, this festival took place from 1997 to 1999 and featured some of the most prominent artists of the time. Set to begin streaming on September 21, 2023, on platforms including Hulu and Disney+, the film highlights the festival’s cultural impact and the challenges it faced.
In the trailer, McLachlan recalls the skepticism from promoters who believed that featuring multiple female artists on the same bill would not attract audiences. She passionately states, “Promoters said, ‘You can’t put two women on the same bill, people won’t come.’ That’s complete bullsh*t, and it put a huge fire under my butt to prove them wrong.”
The documentary showcases performances from festival veterans such as Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, and Jewel, alongside newer artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Brandi Carlile. Rodrigo, reflecting on her first exposure to the festival, expresses her surprise, stating, “I was in disbelief that I’d never heard of it before.”
A significant aspect of this film is its use of over 600 hours of archival footage, offering a unique glimpse into the festival’s atmosphere and the community it fostered. Alongside interviews with artists, fans, and festival organizers, “Lilith Fair” addresses the backlash that sought to undermine the festival’s success.
Directed by Ally Pankiw and produced by Dan Levy‘s production company, Not A Real Production Company, along with Elevation Pictures, the documentary draws inspiration from a 2019 article titled “Building a Mystery: An Oral History of Lilith Fair” published in Vanity Fair and Epic Magazine. The article was co-authored by Jessica Hopper, Sasha Geffen, and Jenn Pelly.
The film serves not only as a celebration of Lilith Fair but also as a reminder of the ongoing journey towards gender equity in the music industry. With its release, audiences can expect a heartfelt tribute to the festival that reshaped the landscape for women in music, inspiring future generations of artists.
