Lilith Fair runs into trouble

More worrying news from the Lilith Fair camp today after The Globe & Mail reported that official dates have been scrapped and that further cancellations look likely. Norah Jones was scheduled to play a number of shows, all of which have now been cancelled according to her management, though the dates were still listed on the festival’s website last week.

The all-women music festival, which returns after an eleven-year absence, appears to be suffering under the burden of huge costs which amount to millions, an issue reflected in the pricey ticket costs that fans complained about recently. To appease this, the organisers have now made two for one offers available, and scrapped service charges. Co-founder Terry McBride has said there are other factors behind the cancellations, and has been quick to soothe worried ticket holders, saying “We review our sales on a weekly basis. If we cancel any more, we will announce accordingly.”

Alongside the scrapped shows are a number of venue changes, with performances moving to smaller capacity venues. Though we’re super stoked to have them back, Lilith Fair has its work cut out. Recession has hit hard, the hoards of cheap, all-inclusive international festivals now on offer may be wooing away potential fans, and the all-female premise, despite the organisers’ attempt to diversify the line-up to appeal to a broader range of music fans, is a hard brand to market.

Here’s hoping ticket sales pick up soon if we’re to stand any chance of the European leg still happening.

UPDATE: Lilith Fair co-founder Terry McBride has penned a very pointed open letter to US and Canadian critics. Read it here.

Tagged lilith fair 2010, norah jones