I think there are 2 factors playing in this... First, they've included some women that don't belong on the bill, at all. Yes, some have had hits over the past couple of years but I don't think some have proven themselves that they have staying power and are going to be around for a very long while. Artists like Rihanna, Ke$ha, Selena Gomez can always be replicated and people will jump from them to a fresh face that Disney/radio are trying to promote and shove into people's ears as much as they can. Maybe the original Lilith Fair goers' perspectives changed these days but I still think it's because of the lineup and not too many artists that remained relevant since the last Lilith are going to be there, so that makes some people not want to go this time around.Sarah McLachlan says Lilith sales "pretty soft"
By Gary Graff Gary Graff – Tue May 18, 2:00 am ET
DETROIT (Billboard) – As Sarah McLachlan prepares to resurrect the Lilith Fair after an 11-year break, she acknowledges that ticket sales for the female-centered package are "pretty soft" right now.
The trek kicks off June 27 in Calgary, with 36 dates before wrapping August 16 in Dallas. McLachlan, one of Lilith's co-founders, will be joined on the bill by the likes of Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, Carly Simon, Rihanna and Selena Gomez.
There has been some grumbling about ticket prices, which are more than $250 (before fees) in some markets.
"There's about 300 seats out of 16,000 or whatever that are $250," she says. "Then there's 9,000 that are 25 dollars, so come on. We're working our hardest to have reasonably priced tickets so it can be accessible for everyone and that people will want to come. We might get slaughtered, I don't know, but I kind of have blind faith in the fact we're putting on a really great show and we always have, and that will bring people in the end."
McLachlan herself says she's particularly excited about having the Go-Go's and Bangles take part in some of this year's dates. "That's my high school days," she notes.
She's also pleased to be able to mix new Lilith participants such as Blige, Loretta Lynn, Cat Power and Metric with returnees and "friends" like Crow, Emmylou Harris and the Indigo Girls.
The tour will coincide with the June 15 release of McLachlan's first album in seven years, "Laws of Illusion." The first single, "Loving You is Easy," is currently available at digital retailers.
"I can't wait to play these new ('Laws of Illusion') songs live, but the trouble is, doing Lilith, everybody wants the hits, so I have to be careful," McLachlan said. "I'll rehearse four or five of the (new) songs and just rotate 'em and do two each night or something like that."
Second is money.. with the economy in the U.S. fluctuating, going through ups and downs, rising unemployment in certain regions of the country ... some people just can't afford $250 tickets. I think the $250 tickets are the orchestra/general admission section, if there are any. I can understand the price too because it's pretty much an all day concert.. I think 8 hours at most? There are going to be 11 main performers on the main stage and a certain number of side stage performers. If they don't manage to sell more within 2 weeks from kick-off I can see the prices being lowered or some people will be upgraded from mezzanine to orchestra on the days of the shows, but most likely not, we'll see.
