Lilith Fair Returns Next Year: 10 Must-Have Ladies for its Lineup

Lady folkstress Paula Cole used to ask, “Where have all the cowboys gone?” But in recent years, it’s been the cowgirls we’re wondering about. But wonder no longer: Lilith Fair has returned.

Sarah McLachlan, the organizer and matriarch of the Lilith Fair, announced earlier this year that the tour would return, and yesterday the first round of 2010 locations were released. See if your city made the cut right here.

Since no dates or artists have been announced, all we can do for now is offer our gentle suggestions. As for dates, well, summer sounds good. And for artists, here are a few of our favorites we’d love to see on Lilith next year:

1. Tegan and Sara: This sister duo was perfect for Lilith’s vibe in its first incarnation—they wrote angry feminist-folk. But times have changed; now they write angry feminist pop-punk. Let’s hope Lilith fair has grown and changed enough to keep the Quin sisters involved.

2. Cat Power: Chan Marshal’s power was still growing when Lilith Fair came around—a decade later, she’s one of the best female voices in indie rock. A perfect match.

3. The Gossip: Although the Lilith Fair’s always kept its focus on more mom-friendly folk rock (Indigo Girls, Jewel), Gossip’s frenetic bluesy swagger would surely get the minivan set dancing.

4. Brandi Carlile: Is there any way Carlile won’t be on this tour? She’s currently playing nightly with at least one Indigo girl, and her anthems of empowerment and love make her huge with the Lilith demographic as is.

5. Regina Spektor: Because it wouldn’t hurt Lilith Fair to take itself a little less seriously, perhaps some Soviet kitsch would help?

6. Thao with the Get Down Stay Down: If Sarah McLachlan knows better, she’ll learn faster and book this band. Emotional, folk-influenced, indie-rock rave-ups? Yes, please.

7. Alela Diane: After Thao works you up, Alela will calm you down. Her gorgeously hushed, timeless acoustic ballads are a Lilith match made in heaven.

8. Bat For Lashes: Dark, moody synth-pop for a new generation of ladies.

9. Neko Case: Another obvious pick. She’s a maneater, after all.

10. Amy Winehouse: Here’s a scenario—just after releasing her long-awaited new album, which is amazing, Winehouse takes to the road leading this crew of women across these United States on the Lilith Fair, returning as the sultry-voiced chanteuse we all want her to be. Well, we can dream, anyway…

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