Hi, fellow music lovers!

When Sarah McLachlan helped launch Lilith Fair in the '90s, her goal was to push back against sexism in the music industry and shine a light on women performers.

The new documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery explores just how groundbreaking it was, especially at a time when radio programmers avoided playing women artists back to back, and festival programmers didn't believe women headliners could draw the same size crowds as men.

Before the documentary drops on CBC Gem on Sept. 17, we put together our five key takeaways from the music festival that defined a decade.

For more on the motivation behind the festival, check out this 1997 interview with McLachlan where she talks about the sexist music industry rules that forced her to act.

How to watch and listen to the 2025 Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony

It’s nearly time! The 2025 Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony will take place at Massey Hall on Sept. 16, and you can stream it from anywhere. Hosted by Haviah Mighty, the evening will feature performances from nine of the artists and bands shortlisted for the album prize.

Polaris is also celebrating its 20th edition this year, so we recently highlighted five of the prize’s best moments over its last two decades. 

What have Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol been loving lately?

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie's Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol share what they’ve been loving lately, from the last great film they watched to the last album they listened to — just before their film screens at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, which runs from Sept. 4-14.

More than 200 musicians demand Carney move away from fossil fuels

“Canada is burning” reads the letter, signed by Sarah Harmer, Luna Li, Cris Derksen, the Weather Station and more. The campaign, called Music Draws the Line, will deliver the letter to Parliament on Sept. 17.

Who were Billianne’s biggest musical influences growing up?

Miley Cyrus and Amy Winehouse feature heavily, but do you know which Tina Turner cover really helped her shine?

Joni Mitchell and Drake to be honoured for songwriting at SOCAN Awards

The two powerhouse songwriters from very different eras are among the artists being honoured at the awards bash for Canadian songwriters, composers and music publishers. Mitchell will receive the Cultural Impact Award for her tender 1969 song Both Sides Now, while Drake will get his fourth consecutive award for songwriter of the year in the performer category.

Watch Tate McRae make her VMAs debut with a hypnotic performance of Sports Car

The pop star won a trophy and brought sharp choreography to the stage in New York.

Justin Bieber's gooey love song, and 3 more songs you need to hear this week

After surprise releasing Swag II, the followup to July's Swag, Justin Bieber serves up gooey goodness on standout track Eye Candy, a bright, piano-driven love song. But if that isn’t quite your thing, we have three other must-hear tracks to choose from this week, including releases from Aquakultre, Luna Li and Austra.

Get ready for Canada’s queen of R&B soul

Earlier this year, multiple Juno Award-winning artist Jully Black embarked on her Songs and Stories tour, her first headlining cross-country tour in 17 years. On CBC Music Live, enjoy Part 1 of her sold-out show at the Rose Theatre in Brampton, Ont.

The OBGMs take listeners to therapy on the Polaris-shortlisted Sorry, It’s Over

The punk band turned up the volume for the album, which you can learn more about on the latest episode of The Ten, with host Odario Williams, CBC Music senior producer Jesse Kinos-Goodin and producer Kyle Muzyka.

CBC Music Top 20 makes history with 2 Punjabi-language songs in the top 5

It's a record-breaking Top 20 this week. For the first time in the 14-year history of the chart, there are two Punjabi-language songs in the top five: Thodi Si Daaru, by Victoria superstar AP Dhillon, currently sits at No. 5, while Brampton Bollywood singer Jonita Gandhi has edged him out slightly to sit at No. 3 with Beparwai. Also this week on the chart, Chappell Roan's latest hit, The Subway (featuring her now-famous shout-out to Saskatchewan), takes over at No. 1, bumping Daisies by the Biebs to second place. And entering the chart this week are new songs from Toronto rock band the Beaches and California soul siren Jane Handcock.

Thanks so much for joining us for this issue of Listen Up! If you loved it, feel free to let us know at listenup@cbc.ca — and use the same email if you have questions or suggestions. Please share it with your friends, family and even enemies via cbc.ca/listenup.