"It doesn't exclude men, it simply celebrates women," says Sarah McLachlan of Lilith Fair, a festival tour created by McLachlan and her management.

Last year, they tested the concept with a four city mini tour. The results were capacity crowds at each event, and the confidence to plan a major women's North American festival schedule for the summer of 1997. The Lilith Fair tour is the first of its kind, and makes a statement about the evolution of the role of women in popular music.

McLachlan notes, "three years ago promoters were really scared to put two women on the same bill. Now, the climate has changed dramatically. We've proved it can be done. This tour is a huge step in the right direction for women's rights, but it isn't a soapbox for extremist feminism. It isn't about dissing men, it's about quality in every aspect of life between men and women -- so that's part feminist, part humanist. I just think everybody is equal."

In addition to McLachlan, the tour will feature a broad spectrum of contemporary music and will feature such diverse artists as The Cardigans, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Paula Cole, Indigo Girls, Suzanne Vega and many more. Dates are set to begin early July, and will continue through the end of August.

McLachlan also intends to have Lilith Fair provide a forum for up-and-coming female artists. The festival's set-up will feature a second stage on the audience lawn for both emerging artists and unique career performances by established artists. This second stage will give bands the chance to play for far more people than they would likely draw if touring independently. "The possibility that I could give emerging artists a real platform is a thrill to me. I would love to see somebody become successful from the tour or at least get a start."

Some of the newer acts already booked for Lilith Fair are Wild Colonials, Victoria Williams, Autour de Lucie and Kelly Willis.

Tour routing and individual show artist line-ups will be announced soon.