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Jewel announced her Hulu documentary named “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery- The Untold Story,” which is expected to premiere September 21. Rare is the tone raised for a documentary like this, unveiling this little-known history of the emergence of this all-woman music festival that shook and redefined the music industry of the ’90s with 600 hours of unseen footage. Artists in the documentary include Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, and Olivia Rodrigo.
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Y’all! Is it flashback #Throwback? ’90s flannel was a style, and in those days, women in music had to endure so much to get their share on the main stage. The news from Jewel made every soul who has lived through this word all kinds of bittersweet nostalgia. She announced this huge doc on Lilith Fair-the show which basically tells the male-dominated industry to “hold my beer” and actually do something.
The documentary “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery- The Untold Story” will premiere on Hulu and Disney+ on September 21, and oh my, the doc has about 600 hours of never-before-seen material! This includes lots of behind-the-scenes chronicles, some heartfelt performances, and surely, quite a few fabulous 90s ‘fashion emergencies’ that we officially choose to forget.
For those among you who are unaware, Lilith Fair was established in 1997 by Sarah McLachlan. It was a touring festival: an absolute antithesis to those where male artistes are grossly preferred- only female artistes or female-fronted bands were programmed. Back then, the industry thought it was very risky indeed: really? They thought that no one would show up if you put a couple of women together in the same bill. What an archaic notion!
But then, guess better? They were 100 per cent wrong. Lilith Fair soon became a cultural phenomenon, selling out shows across North America and demonstrating that women could not only headline but they could also draw crowds larger than life. It was beyond a concert series; it was a movement. It gave a voice to artists who were often marginalized and fostered a sense of community among fans who finally felt recognized.
Jewel’s official announcement on Instagram really sent the majority of the fans into utter craziest frenzy. That post’s comment section could be interpreted as a tribute to the festival as well, with several people sharing memories and calling for a revival.
“Can’t wait to watch this! I went EVERY SINGLE YEAR they did Lilith! Multiple cities each year!!” said a gig-gone fervent fan who has to go down as Committed forever.
Another comment-worth-quoting: “I cannot wait for this. One of my great regrets is never having gone to a Lilith Fair. PS, love you always Jewel.”The documentary now will be a consolation for some who missed out.”
The younger generation is even buzzing almost as much. Paraphrasing from a particular user: “I am so excited to see this! I am too young to have gone but I grew up listening to the album.” This is proof that Lilith Fair’s impact is still being felt today.
Some comments got pretty informative and deeply emotional. Here is one: “The Water is Wide performed by Indigo Girls, Sarah, Jewel…. goosebumps … Also my mom’s fav (miss you mom).” Right in the feels.
Of course, loud questions arise: “Can we please bring it back?” with more than one answer “let’s make a petition.” Really, that would not be a bad idea.
Another blow of memory came from a fan who says: “I went to Lilith Fair with my mom when I was 12 and it was so so amazing. The first of many music festivals for me.” Another: “I was there. It was a world-changing magical event.”
Even a 14-year-old went to nearly-first concert experience being Lilith Fair. Setting the bar high! “So excited for this! I went to the first show at the gorge that first summer with my parents. It was the first concert I ever went to.”
Here’s that hype! “I’m renewing my Hulu subscription just for this!!!” Now that’s hype-talk!
Doing justice to being beyond just another music festival, Lilith Fair cemented her place in history. It delivered occasions instances when women could empower themselves as artists and fans. It stayed planted on the sculptor’s anvil in the industry’s history, from which the present-day populace continues to draw. The documentary will lay bare all the raging controversies and all the struggles that came crashing just before the glorious triumphs of magic.
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Save this date: September 21! Grab your choice of throwback snack and get ready for this visit back into the Ruby and Sapphire color shades of music history. An array of stories has been holding back this demanding yet worthy tale, and we are all here to take it up.