Spinner

Tori Amos Will Not Play Lilith Fair 2010

The first round of artists have been confirmed to play Lilith Fair this summer when the all-female music festival returns after a 10-year absence. Among the artists set to perform are Sheryl Crow, Tegan and Sara, Mary J. Blige and founder Sarah McLachlan. But one artist that won't be on the bill is Tori Amos.

"There's so many young artists that want to [play Lilith] and because I'm able to tour on my own, they should have the chance," Amos told Spinner this week when she stopped by our New York City studio. "I usually do my own thing. I like to tell a story, and I'm stronger -- I'm better as a performer -- when you come and decide, 'OK. I'm gonna take some audio mescaline and hang out with Tori. And God knows how I'm gonna get across the galaxy, but I'll get there and she'll make sure I get back.' And it's different thing when you're doing a gig for 15 minutes, or 20."

While Amos also didn't perform as part of the original Lilith, which toured every summer from 1997-99, it's not for lack of support for the festival. "It opens the doors for a lot of women that can't tour on their own," she said. "Sarah [McLachlan] is able to hold that space and she benefits as well. If it is a success, then by holding a space and helping others, the public gets to see these artists and it can be a win-win. It's a brilliant concept. You have to acknowledge that she's a brilliant business woman. There are a lot of guys in the industry that have very successful festivals. And they don't get criticized for it -- they get acknowledged that they're good at business as well as music."

In 1997, McLachlan launched the all-female music festival, which became the top-grossing festival of that year and top-grossing female music festival of all time, featuring artists including Natalie Merchant, the Pretenders, Fiona Apple, Sheryl Crow and Missy Elliott, among many others.

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Huntress, 'Spell Eater': Exclusive…

Noisecreep

Ben Gibbs Coming straight of out of Southern California is a group dealing…

Break Anchor, 'A Failure of Epic…

Spinner

Courtesy Paper + Plastic Records Break Anchor rose from the ashes of the…

Lana Del Rey's Tooth Cap: Singer Hits…

Spinner

Michael Kovac, WireImage Let us introduce Lana Del Rey's newest accessory: A…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

9 Comments

Filter by:
Au

I am CONFUSED! Sarah McLaughlin, Sarah McClaughlan, Sarah McLachlan? Are they one and the same person? Is she a blonde Canadian or a dark haired Scott or...?

October 23 2010 at 11:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Au

There is a similar young artist to Tori Amos in Europe - check out "Alina Orlova" on Youtube.

October 23 2010 at 11:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
holly

I can see her point. She doesn't want to spend many days in a row following around a tour just to play for a small 15 - 20 minute set. What she said about Sarah being a good business woman is clear to me, she knows Sarah is taking the lion's share of the money and rightly so if everyone is playing a short set BUT they still have to get there and get to the next place with their whole crew which does cost money.

May 26 2010 at 9:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Luno

A lot of artists 'poo-pooed' Lilith Fair back in the day. I remember Shirley Manson stating that she felt it only served to strengthen the cultural ghetto that 'women in music' had become pretty much since artists such as Tori Amos had emerged in the late eighties/early nineties and I can't say I disagree. I don't think LF accomplished anything in the industry beyond profiting from the cliche it helped create.

January 28 2010 at 11:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
torifaneternal

As a very longtime toriphile I can attest to the fact that when Tori's on stage, she gives her ALL. She doesn't need Lilith Fair. Some in her audience (including myself) may be fans of many of the artists that are partaking in the revived Lilith Fair, but when I see Tori, I want to get more than my $$'s worth of a show. I want my 2+-hours worth of show, not a mere few minutes of, which too many of these artists will be lucky to get when they are appearing at Lilith and other festivals. If I want to discover new artists I will visit this site or just flip through myspace, rolling stone, SPIN, or other social networking and sites focusing on music. Or I will read PASTE, BUST, or BITCH magazines. Or even watch Carson Daly on some sleepless nights. I don't necessarily want to waste a lot of very hard-earned $$ to go to a festival to find out that nothing impresses me. I love Sarah M., too, but I have no interest in the "revived" Lilith Fair. New artists will be found and heard. There are more ways than one to hear them now. I don't see the revived Lilith Fair lasting past this year. If they lose $$$$, don't look for it in '11.

January 07 2010 at 7:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
merchantNlover

tori amos never liked lilith fair.

natalie merchant once remarked at a concert: "i like tori, even though she poo-pooed lilith fair"

December 20 2009 at 2:14 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Arlene

Not sure Tori Amos's explanation makes much sense to me. Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachlan, Mary J. Blige, Emmylou Harris, Indigo Girls, Brandi Carlile, etc.-- all of these artists can and do tour on their own. But it is the inclusion of established artists that draws the crowds and brings exposure to the lesser known artists.

December 11 2009 at 12:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Arlene's comment
P

I think her point was that she prefers to do shows as an intimate thing between her and the fans:

"I usually do my own thing. I like to tell a story, and I'm stronger -- I'm better as a performer -- when you come and decide, 'OK. I'm gonna take some audio mescaline and hang out with Tori. And God knows how I'm gonna get across the galaxy, but I'll get there and she'll make sure I get back.' And it's different thing when you're doing a gig for 15 minutes, or 20.""

December 11 2009 at 7:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tanya

I agree with you. I think it comes off as condescending and a bit snitty. Tori sounds like she is making it clear that she wants to disengage herself from the event because according to her she has no personal gain. Like you said if she wanted to provide exposure for lesser known artists then she would tour w/Lilith. Her obvious jab at Sarah McClaughlan -whom she calls an intelligent business woman- is something you would say about someone lacking in artistic talent. Just say what you mean,Tori

March 04 2010 at 7:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply