LILITH
June 28, 2010 Rexall Place
As a vibrant 21 year old with university classes and exams all done, neither a long day waiting nor battling Mother Nature's torrential downpour could dampen my spirits for the final show of Lilith Fair in Edmonton in 1999! Apparently I can no longer party like it's 1999, but neither can the all-women festival. Once a frontier for women in concert, it doesn't habe the oomph or the diversity of talent to justify the tour. Perhaps it's just the lineup for Edmonton's show. Sarah McLachlan is always great, add some country twang of Sugarland, and rock of Sheryl Crow to the mix. Add Erykah Badu's unbridled raw emotion (and colour) to make the lineup seem not so bland. The village stage and second stage lived up to welcoming local and emerging talent. But who knew those stages would be set up outside in the parking lot. Festival goers appeared lost and unprepared. Some took shelter inside Rexall from the blaring sun. The night ended with Sarah McLachlan doing her encore with "Ice Cream." It concluded with all the artists coming back onstage to sing "Because The Night," last made popular by the 10,000 Maniacs. Indeed the perfect finale to end the night, because I humbly say all women are maniacs. Next time perhaps begin the mainstage show with all the artists collaborating. Throughout the night I only witnessed one artist-to-artist collabo. In 1999, Sarah Mclachlan joined Sheryl Crow on "Strong Enough." Fast forward 11 years and it's Colbie Caillat joining in on Crow's hit song.
