Lilith Fair was a concert tour and traveling music festival founded by Canadian musician Sarah McLachlan, along with Dan Fraser and Terry McBride from Nettwerk Music Group, and New York talent agent Marty Diamond. Spanning the summers of 1997-1999 and briefly revived in 2010, it showcased exclusively female solo artists and female-led bands. McLachlan created the festival after facing resistance from concert promoters and radio stations hesitant to feature multiple female musicians consecutively. The name "Lilith" was inspired by Jewish folklore, referencing Adam's first wife, who refused to be subservient.
Lilith Fair's original run was a resounding success, grossing $16 million in its first year alone and outperforming Lollapalooza in ticket sales. Over its initial three years, the festival raised over $10 million for charity. The festival featured a diverse range of artists, including Sheryl Crow, Fiona Apple, Jewel, Tracy Chapman, and the Indigo Girls. Despite its achievements, Lilith Fair faced criticism, with some dismissing it as "mom music". In 2025, the documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery premiered on Hulu, exploring the festival's impact on generations of female musicians.
