Lilith: Only Fair Need Apply

Bob Dylan could fall to his knees begging and Sarah McLachlan wouldn’t give him a gig at Lilith Fair. The same goes for Paul McCartney or any other pop hero not lucky enough to be a pop heroine.

During the early stages of last year’s inaugural Lilith Fair, McLachlan wavered on whether the festival would remain exclusively a showcase for female artists. But she has since made up her mind. Even if a Dylan or a McCartney should plead for an exception, Lilith is for the ladies.

“I’d have to say that I was incredibly flattered for them to ask, but sorry, boys,” McLachlan said. “Give me a couple years and we’ll maybe create another festival for men and women.”

When Lilith Fair reached Irvine Meadows last summer, one of the early dates on the tour, McLachlan told interviewers that a sequel might make room for men.

“That was my moment of weakness,” she said. “I was getting beaten down by the media, the endless justification of every small element. [I thought,] ‘Oh my God, maybe I should make it more egalitarian.’ Then Emmylou Harris, bless her heart, took me aside: ‘This is not my place, but why would you want to change this? It’s beautiful.’ I realized that these are my convictions. Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.”

Lilith Fair ‘98, starting June 19 in Portland, Ore. (the Southern California stop has not been announced), will again feature a rotating all-women cast, with McLachlan headlining. Natalie Merchant, Missy Elliot, Sinead O’Connor, Erykah Badu, Shawn Colvin, Paula Cole, Sheryl Crow and the Indigo Girls have been announced as artists who will appear at some point along the itinerary of more than 50 North American cities. European dates are being planned as well.

One of the few disappointments of last year’s Lilith engagement at Irvine was the lack of any musical collaboration among featured performers. That changed as the tour went on, McLachlan said.

She credits the Indigo Girls, who joined Lilith in its third week, with revving up the collaborative spirit. “They came and knocked on [other artists’] doors: ‘We want to play with you; what do you think?’ No fear.”

“I’m going to be prepared this time,” McLachlan said. “My band is going to learn a few songs [that invite collaborative singing] and bring them to all the musicians every night and say, ‘Who wants to play?’ ”