“While the previously scheduled musical performances will not take place, we invite you to stay for a reception following the screening to celebrate the documentary,” organizers stated at the event.
The performances were supposed to accompany the premiere of the documentary “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery,” about an all-female music festival.
The doc is distributed by ABC News Studios, a subdivision of ABC, which is owned by Disney. ABC and Disney have come under harsh criticism and boycotts over their decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel, ostensibly over tame remarks he made about Jimmy Kimmel. In reality, the termination was a blatant attempt to pander to Donald Trump who has long been calling for Kimmel’s firing.
At the documentary’s premiere yesterday, co-founder Sarah McLachlan introduced the film and revealed that the much-anticipated performances had been canceled to show support for free speech. “Special surprise performances” had been promised and Matt Belloni of Puck News revealed that one of them was superstar singer Olivia Rodrigo who appears briefly in the doc.
“It’s a gift for all of us to see [this film], but also I’ve grappled with being here tonight and around what to say about the present situation that we are all faced with, the stark contraction to the many advances we’ve made watching the insidious erosion of women’s rights, of trans and queer rights, the muzzling of free speech,” said McLachlan.
“I think we’re all fearful for what comes next, and none of us know, but what I do know is that I have to keep pushing forward as an artist, as a woman to find a way through, and though I don’t begin to know what the answer is, I believe we all need to work towards a softening to let in the possibility of a better way, because I see music as a bridge to our shared humanity, to finding common ground,” she went on.
“If Lilith taught me anything, it taught me there is a great strength in coming together to lift each other up instead of tearing each other down,” she continued. “So I really hope this documentary inspires everyone to continue to try and create positive change in your communities, to keep lifting each other up, keep championing the causes you believe in with kindness and empathy because ultimately we’re all in this together.”
As she was winding down her speech, she addressed the performance cancellations—
“I know you’re expecting a performance tonight, and I’m so grateful to all of you for coming, and I apologize if this is disappointing, but we have collectively decided not to perform but instead to stand in solidarity in support of free speech,” she said, prompting applause. “Thank you for your understanding.”
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