Sarah McLachlan Cancels Performance at Lilith Fair Doc Premiere ‘in Solidarity of Free Speech’

A musical performance set to accompany the premiere of the new documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery were canceled this weekend in the name of free speech, according to Lilith founder Sarah McLachlan.

McLachlan, 57, addressed the crowd at the Los Angeles premiere of the new film on Sunday, Sept. 21, and explained that multiple artists had chosen not to perform, “but instead to stand in solidarity in support of free speech,” she said, according to video shared by The Hollywood Reporter.

The Canadian “Angel” singer did not mention comedian Jimmy Kimmel by name, but her pointed comments come less than a week after Kimmel’s long-running late-night ABC talk show was pulled indefinitely by the network after he mentioned the late right-wing political commentator Charlie Kirk and President Donald Trump in his monologue. Kirk was shot and killed while speaking on Utah on Sept. 10.

Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery is being distributed by ABC News Studios, which is owned by Disney, and the documentary is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

“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,” McLachlan told the crowd. “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.”

McLachlan continued, noting that if Lilith, the touring event she founded in 1997 to combat sexism in the industry, had taught her anything, it was that “there is a great strength in coming together to lift each other up instead of tearing each other down.”

“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,” she said. “Now 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. Thank you, I hope you understand.”

The singer’s comments received ample applause and a standing ovation from the crowd, according to the video. Reps for the event and McLachlan did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Event organizers had not announced just who was set to perform, though THR reported that McLachlan was set to play, and so was Jewel. Olivia Rodrigo, who appears briefly in the documentary, was also reportedly set to appear for a surprise performance.

On the same day as the event, Rodrigo posted a statement from SAG-AFTRA to her Instagram Stories that condemned the decision to suspend the airing of Kimmel’s show.

“So upset over this blatant censorship and abuse of power,” Rodrigo added. “I stand with Jimmy Kimmel and I stand for freedom of speech.”

The pop star was among the more than 400 artists that joined with the ACLU to publish an open letter on Monday, Sept. 22 that warned of a “dark moment for free speech” in the wake of Kimmel’s suspension. Other stars that signed the letter include Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Robert De Niro, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, Ben Stiller, Meryl Streep and Kerry Washington.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled off the air by ABC on Sept. 17 after Nexstar Media and Sinclair — which own 63 of ABC’s 205 affiliate stations, according to The New York Times — said they wouldn’t air the show in light of Kimmel’s comments.

Nexstar recently announced plans to acquire rival broadcast company Tegna for $6.2 billion, a massive deal that would further consolidate the local television landscape and put Nexstar in 80% of America’s TV-owning households, according to a press release. The acquisition will require final approval from the Trump-controlled Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

FCC Chair Brendan Carr was quick to praise Nexstar for putting pressure on ABC to remove Kimmel. “It is important for broadcasters to push back on Disney programming that they determine falls short of community values,” Carr wrote on X.