Lilith Fair, July 20, 1999
Southpark Meadows, Austin
Being new to Austin, I didn't know anyone who wanted to go with me to Lilith Fair, so
at the last minute, I decided to go all by my little self. I know, it's pathetic,
but if you can't go to the "Celebration of Women" alone, where can you go?
I'm glad I overcame my self-consciousness and got out to Southpark Meadows that
night because I just couldn't have forgiven myself if I had missed two of my favorite
artists, Sheryl Crow and Sarah MacLachlan, right in my own backyard.
The evening seemed enchanted from the start. During Shawn Colvin's set, some
brief rain caused the most spectacular rainbow I had ever seen, arching completely across
the sky, greeting all the women and friends of women to the festival. While it
rained intermittently for about an hour, it did nothing to deter the spirits of the
concert-goers ready to see their idols.
I arrived around 6pm, just in time to watch a small part of Trish Murphy's set on the
second stage. I should have gotten there sooner. I missed several other local
acts that people were raving about afterwards. Trish has a good Austin style rock
sound and some very cool lyrics. I will definitely catch one of her shows nearby in
the future.
The first main stage show I saw was Monica. Adding a little diversity to the
lineup as well as the audience, Monica provided a strong set of high energy pop songs
accompanied by lively dancers. For her time slot (early evening), Monica really got
the crowd going and I was impressed with her stage presence and professionalism. Her
hit "Angel of Mine" was a favorite and she even teased the crowd with a little
sample of her duet with Brandi "The Boy is Mine."
Next up was a Shawn Colvin. A folkster from Austin, she was commented how great
it was to be back home. At one point, a fan shouted up a request for "Diamond
in the Rough," to which the unaccompanied Colvin cutely replied, "Let me see if
the band knows it." She glared back at the empty stage and said, "Yeah,
they know it." It was this kind of comfortable chatter that made her set so
interesting. The crowd loved "Sonny Came Home."
Lately, I have been having a Sheryl Crow fixation. Could be that VH1 Behind the
Music I just saw on her, but I am inspired by her lyrics and her talent. She is such
an incredible person and seems to have had such a lonely life. She is the main
reason I went out to Lilith. Her set was great, playing songs mainly from her last
two albums, hits like "Favorite Mistake" and "If It Makes You Happy."
She had a full band of hard rocking types. She herself rocked out on both
electric and acoustic guitar.
The mostly female crowd sang pointedly along to the chorus, "You Don't Bring Me
Anything But Down", rivaled in determination and enthusiasm only by my last Alanis
Morrisette concert. The short festival set did not include the huge hit "All I
Wanna Do" and to my disappointment, excluded "Strong Enough." Leaves
me something to look forward to for next time, I guess.
Finally, Sarah MacLachlan took the stage. She looked so relaxed and confident,
after all, this is her third, and reportedly final, successful tour with Lilith.
Sarah has so many hits, too and treated us to "Building a Mystery,"
"I Will Remember You," and even the cute "Ice Cream" from earlier
recordings. She took to the grand piano for "Adia" and "Angel".
Not only is she an accomplished musician, but her work and determination have
allowed other women to have successful musical careers. Kudos to Sarah!
And I must say, going alone to a festival is not so bad. I talked to people, they
talked to me. I saw some of my favorite bands and it was a lovely, unseasonably
cool, Texas evening. I'd do it again!!!
On That Note, I'm outta here......
C
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