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Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery’ Debuts on Hulu, Reviving a 1990s Music Landmark

A new documentary leans on Sarah McLachlan’s own archives to reintroduce the women-led festival to a generation just discovering its impact.

Overview

  • Directed by Ally Pankiw and inspired by Vanity Fair’s 2019 oral history, the film is now streaming on Hulu following its September premiere window.
  • Producers include Dan Levy, with the documentary drawing from McLachlan’s tour footage and private diary entries to offer firsthand perspective.
  • The film opens on a wave of rediscovery, featuring TikTok clips and an appearance by 22-year-old Olivia Rodrigo reflecting on the festival’s influence.
  • Lilith Fair’s commercial footprint is detailed, including a reported $16 million gross in its first year that outpaced contemporaries like Lollapalooza and Warped Tour.
  • McLachlan recounts intense logistical strains—such as artist no-shows and bomb threats—that fuel her reluctance to revive the festival despite its legacy.