No gender agenda here; as Shawn Colvin says, "It just sounds like fun, and I don't have a 'Women rule' attitude. A boys' club is never discussed, so what's wrong with a girls' club?" But the festival name itself does suggest empowerment.
As McLachlan explains it, the character of Lilith "wanted to be treated equal, and Adam wanted to dominate her, so she went 'Screw you' and took off. The story goes on to generally make her evil because, of course, men wrote it. In some versions she comes back and attacks children in their sleep, but I didn't go there," she says with a laugh. "I tried to take the positive aspects of wanting to be equal.... Then, fair in Lilith Fair softens any negative connotations — fair being equal, fair being beautiful, and fair being...a fair."
Will McLachlan play Perry Farrell and host Lilith annually? "I'd like to see it have longevity. I'd also eventually like it not to be just women. I think it's great for two or three years, but there's amazing male talent out there that I want to see. I'm sure people will have lots to say about that, too," McLachlan offers, smiling, "but it's my idea, and I can make it what I want!"
Come back, Adam, all is forgiven.
ROCKY ROADS
Pavement is not just a band — it's an adventure. Whether you favor Blur, Bush, or Erykah Badu, there are plenty of road warriors to brighten the corners of the country over the next several months.
· LOLLAPALOOZA (mid-June through mid-August) In its seventh season, Lollapalooza keeps limping along. This year marks the return of cofounder Perry Farrell, back after his ENIT festival proved to be a minor disaster of cancellations and band pullouts. A slight improvement over last summer's embarrassing metal-fest, the '97 lineup includes Snoop Doggy Dogg, Prodigy (on select dates), and headbanging headliners Korn and Tool. Despite the presence of hipsters Tricky and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, this Lolla looks to be another snooze.
· H.O.R.D.E. (July 11 through Sept. 1) Sporting as many former Lollapaloozers as hacky-sack-nation jam bands, this year's H.O.R.D.E. is surprisingly strong. Crusty headliner Neil Young — who turned down Lollapalooza last year — certainly won't offend hippie sensibilities, but oddball alt-rockers Soul Coughing, Morphine, and Kula Shaker should draw a more diverse crowd than H.O.R.D.E.s of yore. Even so, expect plenty of noodle dancing during sets by Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Widespread Panic, and Blues Traveler (who'll sit in on a few dates).
· HOUSE OF BLUES SMOKIN' GROOVES (June 30 through Aug. 24) This year's Smokin' Grooves lacks the band-of-the-summer impact provided last year by Fugees. But with Lolla alums George Clinton and Cypress Hill, R&B/hip-hop phenom Erykah Badu, and rapturous rapper Foxy Brown on the bill, it should be a party nonetheless.
· VANS WARPED TOUR (July 2 through Aug. 5) If you have trouble differentiating band names like Less Than Jake and Reel Big Fish, just try telling their samey horns-'n'-guitars ska songs apart. But even if this tour's less-than-diverse offering of ska (Hepcat), hardcore (Sick of It All), and ska-punk (the Suicide Machines) won't challenge attendees' musical tastes, bigger-name headliner the Mighty Mighty Bosstones should draw a big, boisterous crowd. And classic California punk bands Descendents, the Vandals, and Social Distortion will make for good, sunny fun.
