Sarah McLachlan, the queen of music, is gearing up for the release of her new album and the CBC-commissioned documentary, Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery—available TOMORROW, September 17.
In a powerful sit-down with The National’s Ian Hanomansing, McLachlan reflects on the legacy of her groundbreaking music festival and how it shifted the music industry forever. Lilith Fair wasn’t just a concert—it was a cultural reset. A space where women artists could thrive, collaborate, and be heard without compromise.
But the real gut-punch came when Sarah opened up about her personal journey as a parent. She didn’t hold back.
“I had to eat quite a bit of humble pie,” she admitted. “I realized it was my responsibility to have to change when my kid bravely divulged during counseling that she didn’t feel safe around me. And that was a wake-up call for myself. No parent should create that type of space for their child, ever. I thought I was pushing and pressuring my child to be the best she can be. Turns out I was just projecting—and instead of helping, I was burying our relationship.”
It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s exactly the kind of honesty that makes McLachlan’s voice—on and off stage—so timeless.
Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery premieres on CBC Television, CBC Gem, and the CBC Docs YouTube channel. It features over 600 hours of archival footage, plus interviews with artists like Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Erykah Badu, and Olivia Rodrigo, all celebrating the sisterhood and seismic impact of Lilith Fair2.
Press play on all the real talk and 1990s modern-day flower power nostalgia below!
From music to motherhood, Sarah’s still teaching us how to show up with grace. What part of her story hit you hardest? Drop your thoughts below and let’s talk vulnerability, evolution, and the power of women who lead.
