Lilith Fair's Nationwide Tour Revolutionized '90s Rock, Raised Millions for Women's Shelters

The Lilith Fair was a groundbreaking all-female music festival co-founded by Sarah McLachlan in the late 1990s, challenging industry norms that doubted the commercial viability of female artists performing together. Despite resistance from radio programmers and media who often sexualized or devalued women musicians, Lilith Fair ran from 1997 to 1999, playing 134 dates across 54 cities and raising $10 million for women's shelters and nonprofits. A new documentary, "Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – the Untold Story," highlights the festival's impact, featuring interviews with key figures and archival footage illustrating the misogyny female artists faced. The film debuted at the Toronto Film Festival and is now streaming, coinciding with renewed discussions about women's rights and free speech in the music industry. Artists like Michelle Malone reflect on the solidarity and empowerment the festival fostered among women musicians. The festival remains a significant cultural milestone, inspiring current generations and continuing to be celebrated in media and podcasts.