Lilith Fair: Mystery Building – A Look Back
It’s quite the nostalgia trip: “All my favorite artists played.” Hulu’s Lilith Fair: Mystery Building, directed by Ally Pankiw, takes us back to the mid-’90s when this festival was created solely to showcase female artists. Sarah McLachlan, a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, envisioned it as a platform where women could find their place in the music industry, and despite the challenges, Lilith Fair has grown beyond her wildest dreams. The documentary features insights from many iconic artists who participated, including McLachlan herself, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, Jewel, and Emmylou Harris.
When Sarah McLachlan came up with the idea for Lilith Fair, it stemmed from her experiences after signing with an American record label in 1993 while promoting Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. She felt isolated, treated more like an object than an artist, which left her longing for community. “I realized I missed that sense of community,” McLachlan reflects, recalling the supportive environment she once had with her own band and crew. She aimed to recreate that on a much larger scale.
Interestingly, the music industry at that time wasn’t very accommodating. Promoters often hesitated to book two female artists on the same bill. But McLachlan’s early shows, like the one with Paula Cole, proved there was an audience eager for these performances. “They knew it was getting messed up,” Cole notes. By 1997, despite ongoing skepticism from the industry, McLachlan and her dedicated team persisted, even in the face of low guarantees and scarce sponsorships. And remarkably, Lilith Fair rose to prominence.
The festival is described as a journey through experiences lasting three years, highlighting how Lilith Fair acted as a breeding ground for change. They hired female sound and lighting technicians and ensured healthcare for the team. The success of the 1997 and 1998 tours pushed them to seek sponsors, connecting larger donations with local charities. It became more than just a festival; it was a progressive movement.
McLachlan notes, “If you stand up to something, there’s an equal and opposing response.” At press conferences during the tour stops, female artists often faced absurd and demeaning questions from male journalists. Nevertheless, many performers saw success in their record sales leading up to the 1997 Grammy Awards, amidst discussions of things like Paula Cole’s armpit hair.
While the documentary captures the essence of these experiences, it also prompts viewers to reflect on the current state of women’s representation in music. From electrifying performances like Missy Elliott’s debut to the festival’s signature sing-alongs, there’s a lingering question: why hasn’t something like Lilith Fair re-emerged?
What Films Does It Echo? Lilith Fair: Mystery Building juxtaposes the ’90s festival’s vibrant atmosphere with the chaos of Woodstock ’99. Sean Colvin, a performer at Lilith, overcame significant challenges while pregnant. Also, many artists from Lilith Fair have been featured in recent documentaries, which delve into similar themes, like Alanis Morissette’s Jagged.
Noteworthy Performances: The film showcases compelling footage from various tour stops over the years, but one particularly memorable moment is Meredith Brooks’ dynamic 1997 rendition of “Bitch.”
Memorable Quotes: Liz Phair shares her perspective, admitting she often felt undervalued in the male-dominated ’90s music scene. “Everything I was good at was reduced to whether my looks were acceptable,” she reflects.
Sexual Themes: There are no notable instances.
Our Take: It’s fascinating how Lilith Fair: Mystery Building re-examines the cultural landscape of the ’90s, revealing the casual sexism and the tendency to overlook women as a cohesive audience with genuine interests. As Anne Powers, a writer and critic, puts it, “We’ve conflated teenage girls with being mere flirts.” This documentary urges reflection on how the music industry navigates gender dynamics, encapsulating the “straight toxicity” of that era.
Yet, it’s also about the music. From the energetic performances of the Indigo Girls to Queen Latifah stealing the show in 1998, the documentary captures an era of musical camaraderie. As it moves towards present-day conversations about community in music, one can’t help but wonder if it will inspire a revival of that sense of belonging.
Call to Action: Definitely worth streaming. Lilith Fair: Mystery Building encapsulates the spirit and the positive energy of the festival while also highlighting how far we’ve come—and how far there still is to go.
How to Watch the Documentary
Lilith Fair: Mystery Building is currently available for streaming on Hulu.
New Hulu subscribers can start with a 30-day free trial on the basic plan, which costs $9.99 afterward. For an ad-free experience, the subscription is $18.99 monthly.
For those looking to bundle, Disney+ offers several packages that include Hulu, starting at $10.99 per month with ads.
