July 07, 2010
Publication title: Metromix, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Unknown
Writer: Andy Hermann
Q&A: Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan is used to uphill battles. When the Canadian singer-songwriter first introduced the concept of Lilith Fair back in 1997, many concert promoters and music industry insiders scoffed at the idea of an all-female music festival. But despite the nay-sayers, “Breast-Fest” (as it was derisively nicknamed) went on to become one of the top-grossing tours for each of the next three years, before McLachlan retired Lilith in ’99 to focus on her family and her recording career.
Now, a decade later, a revived Lilith is facing a different sort of uphill battle—this time not against industry perception, but against cash-strapped fans. Sluggish sales have forced the cancellations of about a third of the originally announced dates (although McLachlan says the Phoenix date was cancelled to protest Arizona’s new immigration law). And many fans who initially purchased tickets at some of the tour’s steeper prices felt gouged when concert promoter Live Nation later began discounting Lilith tickets in an effort to boost sales.
Despite the setbacks, McLachlan remained upbeat about the tour during a recent media conference call. “I’m an optimist,” she insisted. “We may not make a ton of money…but, honestly, it’s not so much about that anyway. I just want to put on a really good musical show.”
Each stop of Lilith features a unique lineup of 10 well-established acts plus one up-and-coming local artist, with McLachlan acting as headliner.
During the call, McLachlan also discussed her latest album, “Laws of Illusion”—her first since the 42-year-old mother of two divorced her husband of 11 years (and longtime drummer in her band), Ashwin Sood. “I went through a pretty crazy, tumultuous time the last couple of years,” McLachlan admitted, “and came out stronger for it. Change is really painful, but it’s also where the biggest growth usually occurs.”
What made you decide in 2010 to bring back Lilith Fair?
Well, we actually decided late 2008 to bring back the Lilith Fair in 2010. That’s sort of how long it takes to get the ball rolling. We’ve always been talking about it and it seemed like a lot of work, and then the last time we talked, we had a different attitude about it. And also I was putting out a new record…so it seemed like a good time to bring it back.
In the concert climate now, which is obviously not doing so well this year, are you finding that this is a hard sell?
Yes, well, I mean we’re certainly we’re going into a very tough climate and, you know, I don’t think we necessarily knew that was going to happen going in. We’re just trying to make the best of the situation. We’re working really hard to keep our ticket prices really low so lots of people have an opportunity to come. Some people were complaining that there are $250 tickets. Yes, [some are] $250, and there’s 9,000 that are $25. You know, for 11 acts and [a full day] of music, that’s a pretty good ticket price. But people, you know, people are holding on to their money. I think they’re waiting to see what the weather’s going to be like.
One of the first Lilith shows to be cancelled was the Phoenix stop. Did that have anything to do with the Arizona immigration law, or was it just sub-par ticket sales?
It had everything to do with the laws. I completely and utterly opposed the laws. I think they are horrible and draconian, and I think it’s a very slippery slope, and I felt like we had a little bit of power as Lilith coming to their market. And my idea was I want to boycott. So that’s why we cancelled the show.
What songs, both old and new, are you most looking forward to performing at Lilith?
I still love playing “Angel.” I mean, I just get high every time I sing it…maybe it’s because so many other people connect with it. One of the greatest joys of singing live is that feeling that you are entering into other people’s universes. I haven’t played a lot of the new songs in front of an audience yet. So I think for me right now, “Forgiveness”—I’ve played that a few times just doing some TV stuff, and I love singing that song. It’s really powerful for me. It’s my “Y’all Done Me Wrong” country song. I’m making light of it, but that’s sort of where it came from.
You’ve got young women starting their careers as well as more established ones on this tour. If they come to you for advice about dating band members, what would you say?
Honestly, I am loath to give advice to anybody about anything. I always have been. I guess my only advice would be just to follow your heart, and make sure you are doing the right thing. But, you know, people are going to make mistakes. If there’s anything I’ve learned about love and relationships, [it’s that] people do exactly what they want, no matter what people tell them.
What about your own experiences going through a divorce and being a single mother? Did it jade your hope for ever going for love in the future?
Oh yes, I suppose there was a time when I sort of felt a little sorry for myself…you know, at the time it was like, “I’m 40. I just turned 40 and I’ve got two small kids.” You know, that’s a tricky place to be in. But I have a really full, fantastic life. I’ve got great friends, great family, and I’m happily single right now. I kind of couldn’t imagine being involved in a new relationship right now. I have just got too much going on.
