View source for Sarah McLachlan

{{Short description|Canadian musician (born 1968)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name             = Sarah McLachlan
| honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|OC|OBC|size=100%|country=CAN}}
| image            = Sarah McLachlan at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (cropped).jpg
| caption          = McLachlan in 2025
| alt              = 
| birth_name       = Sarah Ann McLachlan
| birth_date       = {{Birth date and age|1968|1|28}}
| birth_place      = [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]], Canada
| occupation       = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| years_active     = 1987–present
| module           = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed      = yes
| genre      = {{hlist|[[Pop music|Pop]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Woodstra|first=Chris|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sarah-mclachlan-mn0000834108|title=Sarah McLachlan Biography|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=2025-11-04|quote=Sarah McLachlan's tender and lyrical singer/songwriter pop has won her a dedicated following over the years…}}</ref>|[[alt-pop]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Zaleski|first=Annie|title='The idea we should be in the kitchen serving our men is enraging': singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan on her long fight for women’s voices|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=2025-09-24|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/sep/24/sarah-mclachlan-interview-lilith-fair-better-broken-disney|access-date=2025-12-13|quote=The alt-pop star explains why she's still so fired up}}</ref>|[[folk-pop]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|title=Album Review: Sarah McLachlan's 'Laws of Illusion'|website=[[The Washington Post]]|date=2010-12-30|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/album-review-sarah-mclachlans-laws-of-illusion/2010/12/30/ABiXdGJ_story.html|access-date=2025-11-04|quote=Sarah McLachlan’s breezy folk-pop is not as fashionable as it once was…}}</ref>|[[pop rock]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Bio: Sarah McLachlan|website=[[Shore Fire Media]]|url= https://shorefire.com/roster/sarah-mclachlan/bio|access-date=2025-12-13|quote=…''Better Broken'' instills a potent new energy into her lush and moody form of pop-rock…}}</ref>}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|piano|guitar|[[ukulele]]|[[harp]]<ref name=allmusicWintersong />}}
| label      = {{hlist|[[Nettwerk]]|[[Arista Records|Arista]]|[[Verve Records|Verve]]|[[Concord Records|Concord]]}}
}}
| website          = {{URL|sarahmclachlan.com}}
| signature        = Sarah McLachlan signature.svg
}}

'''Sarah Ann McLachlan''' {{Post-nominals|OC|OBC|country=CAN}} (born January 28, 1968) is a Canadian singer-songwriter. As of 2015, she had sold over 40 million albums worldwide.<ref name=mommusic /> McLachlan's best-selling album is ''[[Surfacing (album)|Surfacing]]'' (1997), for which she won two [[Grammy Award]]s (out of four nominations) and four [[Juno Award]]s. She has won three Grammy and twelve [[Juno Awards]] in total, and is a member of the [[Canadian Music Hall of Fame]] and the [[Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame]].<ref name="y645">{{cite news| title=JUNO Awards 2017: Sarah McLachlan to enter Canadian Music Hall of Fame | work=Vancouver Sun | date=31 January 2017 | url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/music/sarah-mclachlan-to-be-inducted-into-canadian-music-hall-of-fame | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref><ref name="i988">{{cite news| last=Friend | first=David | title=Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame: Sarah McLachlan, Tom Cochrane inducted | work=Global News | date=29 September 2024 | url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10785133/canadian-songwriters-hall-of-fame-sarah-mclachlan-tom-cochrane/ | access-date=20 November 2025}}</ref> McLachlan founded the [[Lilith Fair]] tour, which showcased female musicians.

==Early and personal life==
McLachlan was born on January 28, 1968, in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]], [[Canada]].<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=824}}</ref> The daughter of Judy James, McLachlan was raised by her [[adoption|adoptive]] parents, Jack, an [[United States|American]]-born [[marine biologist]], and Dorice McLachlan. The family also included two older adopted brothers, Stewart and Ian.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sarah McLachlan |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/mclachlan-sarah#:~:text=The%20daughter%20of%20a%20woman,adopted%20brothers%2C%20Stewart%20and%20Ian. |website=The Canadian Encyclopedia |access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref> As a child, Sarah was a member of [[Girl Guides of Canada]], participating in Guiding programs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cambridgetimes.ca/opinion-story/6155448-celine-dion-margaret-atwood-among-long-list-of-girl-guides/|title=Opinion {{!}} Celine Dion, Margaret Atwood among long list of Girl Guides|date=December 2, 2015|website=[[Cambridge Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229003854/http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/opinion-story/6155448-celine-dion-margaret-atwood-among-long-list-of-girl-guides/|archive-date=February 29, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=April 23, 2020}}</ref>

McLachlan played music from a very young age, beginning with the [[ukulele]] when she was four. She studied classical guitar, classical piano, and voice<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sarah-mclachlan-emc|title=Sarah McLachlan|encyclopedia=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115020627/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sarah-mclachlan-emc/|archive-date=January 15, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=April 5, 2018}}</ref> at the [[Maritime Conservatory of Music]]<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.solaced.info/about/bio/|title=Sarah's Biography/Discography|website=Solaced.info}}</ref> through the curriculum of [[The Royal Conservatory of Music]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/sarah-mclachlan-on-recording-her-third-album-in-1993|title=Sarah McLachlan on recording her third album in 1993|date=March 26, 1993|website=[[CBC.ca]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327095556/http://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/sarah-mclachlan-on-recording-her-third-album-in-1993|archive-date=March 27, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=April 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rcmusic.com/sites/default/files/files/MusicMatters-Spring2012.pdf|title=Mentor Memories with singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan|website=[[The Royal Conservatory of Music]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190128135542/https://www.rcmusic.com/sites/default/files/files/MusicMatters-Spring2012.pdf|archive-date=January 28, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=April 5, 2018}}</ref> At 17, while she was still a student at [[Queen Elizabeth High School (Halifax, Nova Scotia)|Queen Elizabeth High School]], in Halifax, she fronted a short-lived rock band called the October Game, whose members also included drummer [[Creighton Doane]].<ref name=havenot>{{cite book|last1=Barclay|first1=Michael|last2=Jack|first2=Ian A.D.|last3=Schneider|first3=Jason|title=[[Have Not Been the Same: The Can-Rock Renaissance 1985-1995]]|date=2011 |publisher=[[ECW Press]]|isbn=978-1-55022-992-9|page=464}}</ref> One of the band's songs, "Grind", credited as a group composition, can be found on the independent Flamingo Records release ''Out of the Fog'' and the CD ''Out of the Fog Too''.

Following the October Game's first concert at [[Dalhousie University]] opening for [[Moev]], McLachlan was offered a recording contract with Vancouver-based independent record label [[Nettwerk]] by Moev's [[Mark Jowett]]. McLachlan's parents insisted that she finish high school and complete one year of studies at the [[Nova Scotia College of Art and Design]] before moving to Vancouver and embarking on a new life as a recording artist. She finally signed to Nettwerk two years later before having written a single song.

In 1994, McLachlan was sued by Uwe Vandrei, an obsessed fan from [[Ottawa]], who alleged that his letters to her had been the basis of the single "[[Possession (Sarah McLachlan song)|Possession]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-10-09-ca-48144-story.html|title=POSSESSED: An Ottawa, Canada computer programmer has...|last=Hochman|first=Steve|date=October 9, 1994|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20221111204608/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-10-09-ca-48144-story.html|archive-date=November 11, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref> The lawsuit was challenging for the Canadian legal system since Vandrei was an admitted [[stalking|stalker]] whose acknowledged goal in filing the lawsuit was to be near McLachlan. Precautions were taken to ensure McLachlan's safety if she had to be in the same location as Vandrei. Before the trial began, Vandrei was found dead in an apparent [[suicide]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/sarah-mclachlan-19980430|title=Interview: Sarah McLachlan|last=Mundy|first=Chris|date=April 30, 1998|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|page=6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118162934/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/sarah-mclachlan-19980430|archive-date=November 18, 2016|url-status=live|access-date=November 17, 2016}}</ref>

McLachlan married her drummer, [[Ashwin Sood]], in [[Jamaica]] in 1997. In December 2001, while McLachlan was pregnant with her first child, her mother died from [[cancer]]. McLachlan gave birth to her daughter, India, in Vancouver on April 6, 2002. Five years later, she gave birth to her second daughter Taja, also in Vancouver, on June 22. McLachlan announced her separation from Sood in September 2008,<ref name=billboard /> and they divorced the same year.<ref name="usma_Sara">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/sarah-mclachlan-opens-up-about-devastating-divorce-2011275/|title=Sarah McLachlan Opens Up About "Devastating" Divorce|author=<!--Us Weekly staff writers; no by-line-->|date=May 27, 2011|magazine=[[Us Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920020207/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/sarah-mclachlan-opens-up-about-devastating-divorce-2011275/|archive-date=September 20, 2012|url-status=live|access-date=December 10, 2017}}</ref>

In 2014, when asked what religion she practices, she answered, "I don't adhere to any particular religion. [[Pantheism|I view the concept of God as an energy that we all are part of and share]]. If I had any spiritual leanings, it would be towards [[Buddhism]]. But again, I follow my own path most of my life."<ref>{{cite web |last1=McLachlan |first1=Sarah |title=Sarah McLachlan here on reddit. Ask me anything. Fire away! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/24v498/comment/chaz2ex/ |website=Reddit |access-date=20 December 2024 |date=6 May 2014}}</ref>

==Career and albums==

=== 1987–92: ''Touch'' and ''Solace'' ===
The signing with Nettwerk prompted McLachlan to move to [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]]. There she recorded her first album, ''[[Touch (Sarah McLachlan album)|Touch]]'', in 1987. The album received both critical and commercial success; it also includes the song "Vox". During this period she also contributed to an album by [[Moev]], provided vocals on [[Manufacture (band)|Manufacture]]'s "As the End Draws Near", and embarked on her first national concert tour as an opening act for [[the Grapes of Wrath (band)|the Grapes of Wrath]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/nme-video/youtube/id/KA2DNtkkLzg/search/manufacture-with-sarah-mclachlan|title=Moev ft. Sarah McLachlan – As the End Draws Near video|publisher=[[NME]]|access-date=March 4, 2012|location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://grapesofwrath.ca/about/|title=The Grapes of Wrath – The Official Site – Bio|quote=Their Canadian tour to support this album was also notable for its opening act, a then-emerging singer-songwriter named Sarah McLachlan. she was so cool.|access-date=March 4, 2012|date=May 10, 2009|archive-date=March 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301213543/http://grapesofwrath.ca/about/|url-status=live}}</ref>

McLachlan's 1991 album, ''[[Solace (Sarah McLachlan album)|Solace]]'', was her mainstream breakthrough in Canada, spawning the hit singles "[[The Path of Thorns (Terms)]]" and "[[Into the Fire (Sarah McLachlan song)|Into the Fire]].” ''Solace'' also marked the beginning of her partnership with [[Pierre Marchand]]. Marchand and McLachlan have been collaborators ever since, with Marchand producing many of McLachlan's albums and occasionally co-writing songs.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar00/articles/pmarchland.htm|magazine=[[Sound on Sound]]|access-date=March 4, 2012|date=March 2000|author=Paul Tingen|title=Pierre Marchand: Producing Sarah McLachlan|archive-date=January 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110082517/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar00/articles/pmarchland.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 1993–2002: ''Fumbling Towards Ecstasy'', ''Surfacing'', and ''Mirrorball'' ===
[[File:Sarah McLachlan 1993 Calyoquot.jpg|thumb|right|McLachlan at a 1993 benefit for [[Clayoquot Sound]]]]
1993's ''[[Fumbling Towards Ecstasy]]'' was an immediate hit in Canada.<ref name="Larkin"/> From her [[Nettwerk]] connection, her piano version of the song "[[Possession (Sarah McLachlan song)|Possession]]" was included on the first ''[[Due South]]'' [[Due South: The Original Television Soundtrack|soundtrack]] in 1996. Over the next two years, ''Fumbling Towards Ecstasy'' became McLachlan's international breakthrough as well, scaling the charts in a number of countries.<ref name="Inc.1994">{{cite magazine|author=Larry LeBlanc|title=A Breakthrough Year for Canadian Acts|magazine=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA53|date=December 24, 1994|page=53|issn=0006-2510|access-date=December 14, 2016|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630232843/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZAgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA53|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the success from ''Fumbling Towards Ecstasy'', McLachlan returned in 1997 with ''[[Surfacing (album)|Surfacing]]'', her best-selling album to date. The album earned her two 1998 [[Grammy Awards]], one for [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance|Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]] (for "[[Building a Mystery]]") and one for [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance]] (for "[[Last Dance (Sarah McLachlan song)|Last Dance]]"); the album also won four [[Juno Award]]s, including Album of the Year for ''Surfacing'' and Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for "Building a Mystery". Reaching number one on the [[Canadian Albums Chart]] and number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], the album has since sold over 16 million copies worldwide and brought her much international success.

Still in the spotlight from the album, McLachlan launched the highly popular [[Lilith Fair]] tour. Her song "[[Angel (Sarah McLachlan song)|Angel]]"—inspired by the fatal [[overdose]] of [[Smashing Pumpkins]] touring keyboardist [[Jonathan Melvoin]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Quora Answer by Sarah McLachlan |url=https://www.quora.com/What-was-the-inspiration-behind-Sarah-McLachlans-song-Angel/answer/Sarah-McLachlan-2?ch=10&share=ea69ac78&srid=kl9 |website=Quora |access-date=June 14, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.funtrivia.com/en/music/drugs-in-songs-17801.html|title=Drugs in Songs|publisher=Fun Trivia|access-date=22 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307233608/http://www.funtrivia.com/en/Music/Drugs-in-Songs-17801.html|archive-date=7 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>—made sales skyrocket. Fellow adoptee [[Darryl McDaniels]] was so touched by "Angel" that it inspired him to reassess his life and career. He credits McLachlan and her album ''Surfacing'' (on which "Angel" appeared) with saving his life.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://music.ign.com/articles/691/691277p1.html |title=IGN: DMC: Saved by an Angel |access-date=August 7, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025104607/http://music.ign.com/articles/691/691277p1.html |archive-date=October 25, 2008 }}</ref> The two have collaborated on many projects in support of the rights of adoptees.<ref>{{youTube|id=CRtae4jTF4A}}</ref> In 1998, "Angel" featured in the motion picture ''[[City of Angels (film)|City of Angels]]''. Its [[City of Angels: Music from the Motion Picture|soundtrack]] reached number one on the ''Billboard'' 200. More than five months after the film disappeared from the theatres, the soundtrack remained firmly entrenched among ''Billboard''{{'}}s top 40 albums and earned quadruple-platinum status.<ref name=NYT /> Another song from ''Surfacing'', "Full of Grace", featured in the [[Becoming (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)|Season 2 finale]] of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''; [[List of Dawson's Creek episodes#Season 1 (1998)|Season 1 episode 4]] of ''[[Dawson's Creek]]''; and the film ''[[Moll Flanders (1996 film)|Moll Flanders]]''.

McLachlan released the live album ''[[Mirrorball (Sarah McLachlan album)|Mirrorball]]'' in June 1999. The album's singles included a new live version of her earlier song, "[[I Will Remember You (Sarah McLachlan song)|I Will Remember You]]", a studio recording of which had previously been released on ''[[The Brothers McMullen]]'' soundtrack as well as ''[[Rarities, B-Sides and Other Stuff]]''. Originally released as a single in 1995, where it peaked No. 65 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and No. 10 in Canada, the 1999 version peaked at No. 14 on the Hot 100, reached No. 10 again in Canada, and garnered McLachlan her third [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance|Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]] at the [[42nd Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=42nd Annual Grammy Awards {{!}} 1999 |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/42nd-annual-grammy-awards |access-date=March 28, 2023 |website=GRAMMY.com}}</ref> Later that year, McLachlan recorded the [[Randy Newman]] song "[[When She Loved Me]]" on the ''[[Toy Story 2]]'' soundtrack as the off-screen singing voice of the character [[Jessie (Toy Story)|Jessie]]. It was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Original Song]] in [[72nd Academy Awards|2000]], and McLachlan performed it at the awards ceremony, but did not win.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Publishing |first=Here |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oWMEAAAAMBAJ&dq=When+She+Loved+Me+sarah+mclachlan+academy+awards+2000&pg=PA60 |title=The Advocate |date=March 28, 2000 |publisher=Here Publishing |pages=60 }}</ref>

Following the death of her mother in December 2001, and the birth of her first daughter India, McLachlan took a break from writing music; she shifted her focus to motherhood.<ref name="Afterglow process">{{cite news|url=https://www.fosters.com/story/lifestyle/2005/05/15/re-emerging-in-afterglow/63082158007/|title=Re-emerging in the 'Afterglow'|last=Alan|first=Ryan|date=May 15, 2005|newspaper=[[Foster's Daily Democrat]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819022613/https://www.fosters.com/story/lifestyle/2005/05/15/re-emerging-in-afterglow/63082158007/|archive-date=August 19, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=June 14, 2024}}</ref>

=== 2003–2006: ''Afterglow'' and ''Wintersong'' ===
McLachlan released her fifth studio album, ''[[Afterglow (Sarah McLachlan album)|Afterglow]]'', in November 2003. The album was preceded by the single "[[Fallen (Sarah McLachlan song)|Fallen]]" in September, while two of its tracks, "[[Stupid (Sarah McLachlan song)|Stupid]]" and "[[World on Fire (Sarah McLachlan song)|World on Fire]]", were released as supporting singles the following year. McLachlan had contemplated the prospect of losing career momentum during the album's creation and has described its writing process as similar to "extracting blood from a stone". All songs for the album were written over a two and a half year period and recorded at either Marchand's home studio in Montreal or McLachlan's home studio in Vancouver.<ref name="Afterglow process"/> ''Afterglow'' topped the Canadian Albums Chart, and debuted at No. 2 in the US with over 300,000 copies sold in its opening week.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957659/drake-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200|title=Drake Debuts At No. 1 on Billboard 200"|last=Caufield|first=Keith|date=June 23, 2010|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502001638/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957659/drake-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-200|archive-date=May 2, 2013|url-status=live|access-date=June 14, 2024}}</ref> It has since been certified 5× platinum in Canada,{{Certification Cite Ref|region=Canada|type=album|title=Afterglow|artist=Sarah McLachlan|award=Platinum|number=5|certyear=2004|certmonth=10|access-date=June 14, 2024}} and 2× platinum in the US.{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=album|title=Afterglow|artist=Sarah Mc Lachlan|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2004|certmonth=1|access-date=June 14, 2024}} "Fallen" was later nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the [[46th Annual Grammy Awards]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/12/04/here-are-grammy-nominations-2/|title=Here are the Grammy nominations|last=Susman|first=Gary|date=December 4, 2003|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107055656/https://ew.com/article/2003/12/04/here-are-grammy-nominations-2/|archive-date=November 7, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=June 14, 2024}}</ref> while ''Afterglow'' received a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album at the [[47th Annual Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2004/12/07/see-list-grammy-nominees/|title=See the list of Grammy nominees|last=Susman|first=Gary|date=December 7, 2004|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209032357/https://ew.com/article/2004/12/07/see-list-grammy-nominees/|archive-date=February 9, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=June 14, 2024}}</ref>

Prior to embarking on the Afterglow Live tour in May 2004, McLachlan released the digital [[extended play]] ''Acoustic Live'', which included renditions of two songs from ''Afterglow'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tinnitist.com/2024/05/28/classic-album-review-sarah-mclachlan-live-acoustic/|title=Classic Album Review: Sarah McLachlan {{!}} Live Acoustic|last=Sterdan|first=Darryl|date=May 28, 2004|website=Tinnitist.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615040549/https://tinnitist.com/2024/05/28/classic-album-review-sarah-mclachlan-live-acoustic/|archive-date=June 15, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=June 15, 2024}}</ref> and rerecorded "World on Fire" with [[Robbie Robertson]] for the [[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]] series ''[[Into the West (miniseries)|Into the West]]''. The tour took place through 2005. ''[[Afterglow Live]]'', a CD+DVD recording package of one of the Canada stops was released in November 2004.<ref name="Afterglow tour">{{cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2005/05/06/sarah-mclachlan-basking-in-the-afterglow/|title=Sarah McLachlan — basking in the afterglow|last=Shuster|first=Fred|date=May 6, 2005|newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615034909/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2005/05/06/sarah-mclachlan-basking-in-the-afterglow/|archive-date=June 15, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=June 15, 2024}}</ref>
 
In October 2006, McLachlan released a Christmas album, ''[[Wintersong]]''. The album included 11 new recordings, featuring covers of [[Joni Mitchell]]'s "[[River (Joni Mitchell song)|River]]", [[Gordon Lightfoot]]'s "[[Song for a Winter's Night]]", and [[John Lennon]]'s "[[Happy Xmas (War Is Over)]]", which she recorded with her outreach children and youth choir, and seasonal favourites: "Christmas Time Is Here", "O Little Town of Bethlehem", "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", "Silent Night", "The First Noel", and "Greensleeves (What Child Is This?)", among others. The title track is an original work of McLachlan's. ''Wintersong'' debuted at No. 42 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] for the week ending November 4, 2006,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/diddy-scores-first-no-1-album-in-nine-years-56861/|title=Diddy Scores First No. 1 Album In Nine Years|author=<!--Billboard Staff; no by-line-->|date=October 25, 2006|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201200500/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/diddy-scores-first-no-1-album-in-nine-years-56861/|archive-date=December 1, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=June 11, 2024|quote=...and Sarah McLachlan's holiday set "Wintersong," at No. 42 (Arista, 20,000).}}</ref> and peaked at No. 7.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/incubus-lands-first-no-1-album-1328778/|title=Incubus Lands First No. 1 Album|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=December 6, 2006|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240611050326/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/incubus-lands-first-no-1-album-1328778/|archive-date=June 11, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=June 11, 2024|quote=Sarah McLachlan ascends 22-7 on The Billboard 200 with her holiday effort “Wintersong” (up 38%)...}}</ref> It was certified Platinum in the US in December 2007.{{Certification Cite Ref|region=United States|type=album|award=Platinum|title=Wintersong|artist=Sarah Mc Lachlan|certyear=2007|certmonth=12|access-date=June 11, 2024}} According to [[Nielsen Music]], the album has sold 1.1 million copies in the country as of November 2016.<ref name="WSong & Wland">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/sarah-mclachlan-making-new-holiday-album-macys-thanksgiving-parade-7588040/|title=Sarah McLachlan Talks 'Challenge' of Making New Holiday Album & Secrets of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade|last=Caufield|first=Keith|date=November 23, 2016|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426133245/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/sarah-mclachlan-making-new-holiday-album-macys-thanksgiving-parade-7588040/|archive-date=April 26, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref> In Canada, it is certified 3× Platinum.{{Certification Cite Ref|region=Canada|type=album|award=Platinum|number=3|title=Wintersong|artist=Sarah McLachlan|certyear=2013|certmonth=1|access-date=June 11, 2024}} ''Wintersong'' was nominated for both a [[Grammy Award]], in the [[Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album|Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album]] category,<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/sarah-mclachlan | title =Artist: Sarah McLachlan | website =Recording Academy Grammy Awards | publisher =Recording Academy | access-date =January 25, 2019}}</ref> as well as for a [[Juno Award]], for ''Pop Album of the Year''.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://junoawards.ca/awards/?from-year=1970&to-year=2018&nomination-category=&wins-only=no&artist=sarah+mclachlan | title =Search awards - Sarah McLachlan | website =Junos Music | publisher =[[Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]] | access-date =January 25, 2019 | archive-date =January 26, 2019 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20190126023947/https://junoawards.ca/awards/?from-year=1970&to-year=2018&nomination-category=&wins-only=no&artist=sarah+mclachlan | url-status =live }}</ref>

On October 3, 2006, the live album ''Mirrorball'' was re-released as ''Mirrorball: The Complete Concert''. This release contains two discs that were compiled from two concerts performed on consecutive nights in April 1998 at the Rose Garden arena in [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.allmusic.com/album/mirrorball-the-complete-concert-mw0000451649 | title =Sarah McLachlan - Mirrorball: the complete concert - AllMusic review | last =Brown | first =Marisa | website =AllMusic | publisher =AllMusic, member of the RhythmOne group | access-date =January 25, 2019 | archive-date =January 26, 2019 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20190126001126/https://www.allmusic.com/album/mirrorball-the-complete-concert-mw0000451649 | url-status =live }}</ref>

[[File:Sarah McLachlan - Shayne Kaye (2).jpg|thumb|McLachlan performing in 2009]]

=== 2014–2015: ''Shine On'' ===
In late January 2014, McLachlan announced the release of her next studio album, ''[[Shine On (Sarah McLachlan album)|Shine On]]'', which was inspired by the death of her father. It was her first release on [[Verve Records]], after leaving Nettwerk/Arista after over twenty years.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Payne|first=Chris|title=Sarah McLachlan Signs to Verve; New Album 'Shine On' Coming May 6|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5892795/sarah-mclachlan-signs-to-verve-new-album-shine-on-coming-may-6|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=January 30, 2014|date=January 30, 2014|archive-date=January 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131092850/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5892795/sarah-mclachlan-signs-to-verve-new-album-shine-on-coming-may-6|url-status=live}}</ref> Released on May 6, the album debuted at No.&nbsp;4 on the ''Billboard'' 200 with 42,000 copies sold during the week ending May 11.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/now-50-bumps-frozen-from-no-1-on-billboard-200-6084904/|title='Now 50' Bumps 'Frozen' From No. 1 On Billboard 200|last=Caufield|first=Keith|date=May 14, 2014|magazine=Billboard|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428115812/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/now-50-bumps-frozen-from-no-1-on-billboard-200-6084904/|archive-date=April 28, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref> She embarked on the Shine On tour across the United States in support of the album. Its opening show took place in Seattle on June 20.<ref>{{cite web |title=US 2014 Tour Announced |url=http://www.sarahmclachlan.com/news/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316010900/http://www.sarahmclachlan.com/2014/03/us-2014-tour-announced/ |url-status=unfit |archive-date=March 16, 2014 |date=March 3, 2014}}</ref> The tour visited 30 cities all together. The Canadian leg included 25 shows in 21 cities.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sarahmclachlan.com/2014/08/shine-on-canadian-tour/ | title=Sarah McLachlan's Shine On Canadian Tour Coming This Fall | date=August 18, 2014 | access-date=September 27, 2014 | archive-date=September 24, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924072918/http://www.sarahmclachlan.com/2014/08/shine-on-canadian-tour/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

McLachlan won [[Juno Award for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year|Adult Contemporary Album of the Year]] for ''Shine On'' at the [[Juno Awards of 2015|Juno Awards in March 2015]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.recordonline.com/story/entertainment/local/2015/11/26/mclachlan-takes-stage-at-upac/32952690007/|title=McLachlan takes the stage at UPAC|date=November 26, 2015|newspaper=[[Times Herald-Record]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611053257/https://www.recordonline.com/story/entertainment/local/2015/11/26/mclachlan-takes-stage-at-upac/32952690007/|archive-date=June 11, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref> and was additionally nominated for [[Juno Award for Artist of the Year|Artist of the Year]], but did not win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://junoawards.ca/awards/yearly-summary/?group_id=173&category_ids=173&from_year=2015&to_year=&submit=Search|title=Artist of the Year: Yearly summary: 2015|website=JunoAwards.ca|publisher=Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402095220/http://junoawards.ca/awards/yearly-summary/?group_id=173&category_ids=173&from_year=2015&to_year=&submit=Search|archive-date=April 2, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>

After this release, McLachlan mostly stepped back from public life to focus on motherhood and philanthropic work.<ref name="nyt">{{Cite news |issn=1553-8095 |oclc=1645522 |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=2024-06-11 |date=2024-05-30 |title=Sarah McLachlan Is Resurfacing |first=Grayson Haver |last=Currin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/30/arts/music/sarah-mclachlan-fumbling-towards-ecstasy-anniversary.html}}</ref>

=== 2016–2020: ''Wonderland'' ===
On October 21, 2016, McLachlan released ''[[Wonderland (Sarah McLachlan album)|Wonderland]]'', her ninth studio and second Christmas album;<ref name="WSong & Wland"/> it contains interpretations of 13 traditional and contemporary holiday classics. She promoted the album with various televised performances, including at the ''[[Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade]]'' on November 24; [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''CMA Country Christmas'' special on November 28;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/11/23/cma-country-christmas-puts-new-shine-holiday-classics/94245362/|title=2016 CMA Country Christmas puts new shine on holiday classics|last=Watts|first=Cindy|date=November 28, 2016|work=[[The Tennessean]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240611074731/https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/11/23/cma-country-christmas-puts-new-shine-holiday-classics/94245362/|archive-date=June 11, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref> and [[NBC]]'s annual ''[[Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree|Christmas in Rockefeller Center]]'' special on November 30.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20161201/HOSPITALITY_TOURISM/161209994/thousands-brave-the-rain-to-watch-rockefeller-christmas-tree-lighting-with-perfo|title=Thousands brave the rain to watch Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting|date=November 30, 2016|agency=[[Associated Press]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240611075503/https://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20161201/HOSPITALITY_TOURISM/161209994/thousands-brave-the-rain-to-watch-rockefeller-christmas-tree-lightin|archive-date=June 11, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=June 11, 2024|via=[[Crain's New York Business]]}}</ref> That December, McLachlan released the single "The Long Goodbye".<ref name="thes_Sara">{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/12/07/sarah-mclachlan-on-the-new-christmas-album-she-made-on-a-whim.html|title=Sarah McLachlan on the new Christmas album she made on a whim|last=Friend|first=David|date=December 7, 2016|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321083313/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2016/12/07/sarah-mclachlan-on-the-new-christmas-album-she-made-on-a-whim.html|archive-date=March 21, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=December 10, 2017}}</ref>

In January 2019, McLachlan was announced as the host of the [[Juno Awards of 2019]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://theprovince.com/pmn/entertainment-pmn/newsalert-sarah-mclachlan-will-host-this-years-juno-awards-in-london-ont/wcm/9597a81c-41dc-474b-84db-8c6d7bd3314d|title=Sarah McLachlan hopes to overcome her terror of public speaking as Juno host|last=Friend|first=David|date=January 29, 2019|newspaper=[[The Province]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130000119/https://theprovince.com/pmn/entertainment-pmn/newsalert-sarah-mclachlan-will-host-this-years-juno-awards-in-london-ont/wcm/9597a81c-41dc-474b-84db-8c6d7bd3314d|archive-date=January 30, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref> In an interview the following month, McLachlan stated that she was set to debut a new song titled "Wilderness" during her then-current tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.encorepub.com/a-pure-space-sarah-mclachlan-talks-about-finding-joy-in-music-plays-wilson-center-on-feb-16/|title=A PURE SPACE: Sarah McLachlan talks about finding joy in music, plays Wilson Center on Feb. 16|last=Gentry|first=Shannon Rae|date=February 12, 2019|website=Encore|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142224/http://www.encorepub.com/a-pure-space-sarah-mclachlan-talks-about-finding-joy-in-music-plays-wilson-center-on-feb-16/|archive-date=February 17, 2019|url-status=usurped|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>

=== 2023–present: 30th anniversary of ''Fumbling Towards Ecstasy'' and ''Better Broken'' ===
McLachlan participated in an all-star recording of [[Serena Ryder]]'s 2012 song "[[What I Wouldn't Do]]" in 2023. It was released as a charity single on March 2 to benefit the Feel Out Loud campaign by [[Kids Help Phone]] in support of youth mental health.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://etcanada.com/news/972900/feel-out-loud-alessia-cara-serena-ryder-more-canadian-artists-collaborate-on-new-single-promoting-youth-mental-health-initiative/|title=Feel Out Loud: Alessia Cara, Serena Ryder & More Canadian Artists Collaborate On New Single Promoting Youth Mental Health Initiative|last=Furdyk|first=Brent|date=March 11, 2023|website=[[Entertainment Tonight Canada]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311042919/https://etcanada.com/news/972900/feel-out-loud-alessia-cara-serena-ryder-more-canadian-artists-collaborate-on-new-single-promoting-youth-mental-health-initiative/|archive-date=March 11, 2023|url-status=dead|access-date=March 2, 2023}}</ref> At the end of the year, she announced a 30-city tour (her first major tour since her tour with Josh Groban in 2016) to be held in 2024 for the 30th anniversary of ''Fumbling Towards Ecstasy'' (1993), with the setlist comprising the album's entire tracklist in addition to other songs from her repertoire;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/12/11/sarah-mclachlan-tour-fumbling-towards-ecstasy-30th-anniversary/71848693007/|title=Sarah McLachlan celebrates 30 years of 'Fumbling' with new tour: 'I still pinch myself'|last=Ruggieri|first=Melissa|date=December 11, 2023|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212120113/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/12/11/sarah-mclachlan-tour-fumbling-towards-ecstasy-30th-anniversary/71848693007/|archive-date=December 12, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/entertainment/sarah-mclachlan-maps-30-date-tour-to-mark-anniversary-of-fumbling-towards-ecstasy/article_4ac5b7f0-78a2-589c-a77f-66444c158636.html|title=Sarah McLachlan maps 30-date tour to mark anniversary of 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy'|date=December 11, 2023|website=[[The Canadian Press]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422150126/https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/entertainment/sarah-mclachlan-maps-30-date-tour-to-mark-anniversary-of-fumbling-towards-ecstasy/article_4ac5b7f0-78a2-589c-a77f-66444c158636.html|archive-date=April 22, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=April 22, 2024}}</ref> in November 2024, she cancelled the tour due to [[acute laryngitis]], having postponed the tour earlier.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Szklarski |first1=Cassandra |title=Sarah McLachlan cancels Canadian tour due to acute laryngitis {{!}} Globalnews.ca |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10880193/sarah-mclachlan-canadian-tour-cancelled-laryngitis/ |work=Global News}}</ref> In April 2025, she reannounced the previously cancelled Canadian dates. 

In April 2024, McLachlan stated she was working on new music with producer [[Tony Berg]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/entertainment/in-making-new-music-for-a-changed-world-sarah-mclachlan-wonders-where-s-my-place/article_a49bf600-39c2-59d2-a353-07b59d451aa9.html|title=In making new music for a changed world, Sarah McLachlan wonders: 'Where's my place?|last=Friend|first=David|date=April 21, 2024|website=[[The Canadian Press]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422150126/https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/entertainment/in-making-new-music-for-a-changed-world-sarah-mclachlan-wonders-where-s-my-place/article_a49bf600-39c2-59d2-a353-07b59d451aa9.html|archive-date=April 22, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref> Her tenth studio album, ''[[Better Broken]]'', was released on September 19, 2025.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Browne |first1=David |title=Sarah McLachlan on the End of Lilith Fair, Her New Album, and That ASPCA Commercial |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/sarah-mclachlan-new-album-lilith-fair-animal-commercial-1235365561/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]] |access-date=June 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250626121801/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/sarah-mclachlan-new-album-lilith-fair-animal-commercial-1235365561/ |archive-date=June 26, 2025 |location=United States |date=June 26, 2025 |issn=0035-791X |oclc=969027590 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}</ref> McLachlan announced the Better Broken Tour in support of the album in September 2025 commencing in November the same year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fu |first=Eddie |title=Sarah McLachlan Announces 2025 "Better Broken Tour" Dates |url=https://consequence.net/2025/09/sarah-mclachlan-2025-tour-dates/ |website=[[Consequence of Sound]] |access-date=23 September 2025 |date=18 September 2025}}</ref>

== Lilith Fair ==
{{Main|Lilith Fair}}
In 1996, McLachlan became frustrated with concert promoters and radio stations that refused to feature two female musicians in a row.<ref name="cnn072898" /> Bucking conventional industry wisdom, she booked a successful tour for herself and [[Paula Cole]]. At least one of their appearances together&nbsp;– in McLachlan's home town, on September 14, 1996&nbsp;– went by the name "Lilith Fair" and included performances by McLachlan, Cole, [[Lisa Loeb]], and [[Michelle McAdorey]], formerly of [[Crash Vegas]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/lilith-fair-oral-history-sarah-mclachlan-anniversary-7849320/|title=Lilith Fair at 20: Sarah McLachlan & Co-Founders Look Back on the All-Female Festival That Smashed Touring's Glass Ceiling|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=July 5, 2017|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202064601/https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/lilith-fair-oral-history-sarah-mclachlan-anniversary-7849320/|archive-date=December 2, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://idobi.com/high-life/we-need-to-bring-back-lilith-fair/|title=We Need To Revive Lilith Fair: The All-Female Music Festival|last=Logan|first=Tate|date=September 19, 2023|website=[[idobi Radio|idobi]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208233558/https://idobi.com/high-life/we-need-to-bring-back-lilith-fair/|archive-date=December 8, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref><!--Tuscaloosa ref names McAdorey, other sources do not--><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/news/2010/11/05/sarah-mclachlan-heads-to-birmingham-tonight-for-compact-show/28360928007/|title=Sarah McLachlan heads to Birmingham tonight for compact show|last=Hughes|first=Mark|date=November 5, 2010|website=[[The Tuscaloosa News|TuscaloosaNews.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613192938/https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/news/2010/11/05/sarah-mclachlan-heads-to-birmingham-tonight-for-compact-show/28360928007/|archive-date=June 13, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref>

The next year, McLachlan founded the Lilith Fair tour, taking ''Lilith'' from the medieval Jewish legend that [[Lilith]] was [[Adam and Eve|Adam]]'s first wife.<ref>[http://people.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/Shokel/950206_Lilith.html Looking for Lilith] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620124014/http://people.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/Shokel/950206_Lilith.html |date=June 20, 2010 }}. by Eliezer Seagal. People.ucalgary.ca (February 6, 1995). Retrieved on July 1, 2013.</ref>

In 1997, Lilith Fair, featuring McLachlan as one of the headlining acts, garnered a $16 million gross, making it the top-grossing of any touring festival.<ref name="cnn072898"/> Among all concert tours for that year, it was the 16th highest grossing.<ref name="cnn072898"/> [[Lilith Fair]] tour brought together two million people over its three-year history and raised more than $7 million for charities. It was the most successful all-female [[music festival]] in history, one of the biggest music festivals of the 1990s, and helped launch the careers of several well-known female artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/07/05/1108635464/25-years-on-lilith-fair-is-a-reminder-of-how-one-womans-radical-idea-changed-mus|title=25 years on, Lilith Fair is a reminder of how one woman's radical idea changed music|last=Weiner|first=Lisa|date=July 5, 2022|website=[[NPR]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705093825/https://www.npr.org/2022/07/05/1108635464/25-years-on-lilith-fair-is-a-reminder-of-how-one-womans-radical-idea-changed-mus|archive-date=July 5, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/09/an-oral-history-of-lilith-fair|title=Building a Mystery: An Oral History of Lilith Fair|last1=Hopper|first1=Jessica|last2=Geffen|first2=Sasha|last3=Pelly|first3=Jenn|date=September 30, 2019|magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001145601/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2019/09/an-oral-history-of-lilith-fair|archive-date=October 1, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref> Subsequent Lilith Fairs followed in 1998 and 1999 before the tour was discontinued.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sarah-mclachlan-and-friends-announce-lineup-for-the-final-lilith-fair-91492/|title=Sarah McLachlan and Friends Announce Lineup for the Final Lilith Fair|last=Skanse|first=Richard|date=April 28, 1999|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=March 12, 2019|archive-date=December 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214013052/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sarah-mclachlan-and-friends-announce-lineup-for-the-final-lilith-fair-91492/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Nettwerk CEO and Lilith Fair co-founder Terry McBride announced that the all-female festival would make its return in mid-2010 in Canada, the United States, and Europe. A list of 36 North American shows was released,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2010/04/full-lilith-fair-tour-dates-announced/|title=Full Lilith Fair Tour Dates Announced|date=April 12, 2010|website=Spin|access-date=March 12, 2019|archive-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710175109/https://www.spin.com/2010/04/full-lilith-fair-tour-dates-announced/|url-status=live}}</ref> but poor ticket sales, financial problems, and headliners' withdrawing out of fear of not being paid, caused 13 of the shows to be cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128588089|title=With Sales Lagging, Lilith Fair Faces Question Of Relevance|last1=Powers|first1=Ann|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> The two-week European tour never materialized.

In 2025, McLachlan appeared in the feature documentary ''[[Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery|Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – The Untold Story]]'', which reflects on the legacy and cultural impact of the festival.<ref>{{cite web |title=CBC and ABC News Studios announce premiere of ''Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – The Untold Story'' |website=CBC Media Centre |publisher=CBC |date=September 12, 2025 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/mediacentre/press-release/cbc-and-abc-news-studios-announce-premiere-of-lilith-fair-building-a-mystery}}</ref>

== Additional projects and guest appearances ==
[[File:Sarah McLachlan Piano 1998.jpg|thumb|left|upright|McLachlan performing for ''[[Good Morning America]]'' in 1998]]
In 1997, McLachlan co-wrote and provided guest vocals on the [[Delerium]] song "[[Silence (Delerium song)|Silence]]" for their album ''[[Karma (Delerium album)|Karma]]''. The song achieved significant US top 40 airplay when released as a single in late 2000, and also featured on the soundtrack for the movie ''[[Brokedown Palace]]''. It has been hailed as one of the greatest [[Trance music|trance]] songs of all time, over a decade after its initial release.<ref name="about.com.review">{{cite web|url=http://dancemusic.about.com/od/reviews/fr/DeleriumSil2k4.htm|title=Delerium – Silence 2004|last=Rivaldo|first=Joey|publisher=about.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001151/http://dancemusic.about.com/od/reviews/fr/DeleriumSil2k4.htm|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=November 10, 2008}}</ref> The [[Tiësto]] remix of the song was voted by ''[[Mixmag]]'' readers as the 12th greatest dance record of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mixmag.net/read/what-is-the-greatest-dance-track-of-all-time-features|title=What is the Greatest Dance Track of All Time?|date=February 15, 2013|website=[[Mixmag]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501183234/https://mixmag.net/read/what-is-the-greatest-dance-track-of-all-time-features|archive-date=May 1, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref>

In 2001, McLachlan provided background vocals, guitar, and piano on the closing track "Love Is" from [[Stevie Nicks]]' eighth solo album, ''[[Trouble in Shangri-La]]'', in addition to drawing the dragon used for the "S" in Stevie's name on the album cover.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/swp8nk/sheryl-crow-sarah-mclachlan-on-new-stevie-nicks-album|title=Sheryl Crow, Sarah McLachlan On New Stevie Nicks Album|last=Kemp|first=Rob|date=February 12, 2001|website=[[MTV.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613205341/https://www.mtv.com/news/swp8nk/sheryl-crow-sarah-mclachlan-on-new-stevie-nicks-album|archive-date=June 13, 2024|url-status=dead|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Stephen Davis|chapter=8|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q-vEDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA268|title=Gold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks|edition=1st|year=2017|pages=268–277|publisher=St. Martin's Publishing|lccn=2017023621|isbn=978-1-2500-3289-8|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> In May 2002, her [[duet]] with [[Bryan Adams]], "Don't Let Go", was released on the ''[[Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (soundtrack)|Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron]]'' soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soundtrack.net/album/spirit-stallion-of-the-cimarron/|title=Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron Soundtrack (2002)|last=Barry|first=Matt|date=June 21, 2004|website=[[Soundtrack.Net]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406001416/https://www.soundtrack.net/album/spirit-stallion-of-the-cimarron/|archive-date=April 6, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref> She sang harmonies and played the piano on the song while Sood did the drum work.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron (Music From The Original Motion Picture)|title-link=Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (soundtrack)|others=[[Bryan Adams]], Sarah McLachlan|date=2002|type=Liner notes|publisher=A&M Records|id=0694933042|location=Canada}}</ref>

In 2003, she appeared as a celebrity [[Non-player character|NPC]] in ''[[The Sims expansion packs|The Sims Superstar]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/sims-4-taylor-swift-reference/|title=Sims 4's New Stuff Pack Is Hiding A Not-So-Subtle Taylor Swift Reference|last=Lang|first=Brad|date=March 1, 2024|website=[[Screen Rant]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613194453/https://screenrant.com/sims-4-taylor-swift-reference/|archive-date=June 13, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref>

In November 2006, McLachlan contributed "Ordinary Miracle" to the soundtrack of ''[[Charlotte's Web (2006 film)|Charlotte's Web]]''.<ref name="Ordinary Miracle">{{cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/music/sarah-mclachlan-to-be-inducted-into-canadian-music-hall-of-fame|title=Sarah McLachlan to be inducted into Canadian Music Hall of Fame|last=Derdeyn|first=Stuart|date=January 31, 2017|newspaper=[[Vancouver Sun]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131190017/https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/music/sarah-mclachlan-to-be-inducted-into-canadian-music-hall-of-fame|archive-date=January 31, 2017|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref> There were rumors of a potential [[Academy Award|Oscar]] nomination for the song, but it was not nominated. She performed the song on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'';<ref name="OM book">{{cite book|last=Stewart|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)|date=February 9, 2016|chapter=20: Pheochromocytoma|title=Sweet Dreams Are Made of This: A Life In Music|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6S86CQAAQBAJ|language=English|publication-place=New York|publisher=[[Penguin Random House]]|isbn=978-0-451-47768-2|access-date=June 13, 2024|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> during the [[Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade]];<ref name="OM book"/> and at the [[2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony|opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics]].<ref name="Ordinary Miracle"/>

McLachlan participated in [[Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)|Dave Stewart]]'s 2007 single "Go Green", alongside [[Nadirah X]], [[Imogen Heap]], [[Natalie Imbruglia]], and others. The song was released in April of that year in honour of [[Earth Day]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-apr-19-wk-earth19-story.html|title=Green for more than a day|last=Lee|first=Chris|date=April 19, 2007|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613195635/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-apr-19-wk-earth19-story.html|archive-date=June 13, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref>
[[File:Sarah McLachlan plays the 2017 Invictus Games opening ceremony (36569334194).jpg|thumb|right|McLachlan performing at the [[2017 Invictus Games]] opening ceremony]]
In 2009, McLachlan provided backing vocals and piano on [[Susan Enan]]'s song "Bring on the Wonder", which was featured in the [[television show]] ''[[Bones (TV series)|Bones]]''. Enan and McLachlan included the song on their ''Plainsong'' and ''[[Laws of Illusion]]'' (2010) albums respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.al.com/entertainment/2013/09/susan_enan_british_singersongw.html|title=Susan Enan: British singer/songwriter talks Huntsville house concert, playing Folsom Prison, more (video)|last=Wake|first=Matt|date=September 3, 2013|website=[[Al.com]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240613201117/https://www.al.com/entertainment/2013/09/susan_enan_british_singersongw.html|archive-date=June 13, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/worldfolkandjazz/8707453/Susan-Enan-Plainsong-CD-review.html|title=Susan Enan: Plainsong, CD review|last=Chilton|first=Martin|date=August 18, 2011|website=[[Telegraph.co.uk]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819030705/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/worldfolkandjazz/8707453/Susan-Enan-Plainsong-CD-review.html|archive-date=August 19, 2011|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref> 

On September 10, 2011, McLachlan performed "I Will Remember You" and "Angel" at a ceremony in [[Stonycreek Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania|Stonycreek, Pennsylvania]], commemorating the passengers and crew of hijacked [[United Airlines Flight 93]] who fought the hijackers and brought down their airplane on September 11, 2001. The event marked the dedication of the [[Flight 93 National Memorial]] and was attended by former president [[George W. Bush]], former first lady [[Laura Bush]], former president [[Bill Clinton]], Vice President [[Joe Biden]] and Speaker [[John Boehner]].<ref name="TD1">{{cite news|url=http://tribune-democrat.com/local/x1095944616/Flight-93-victims-remembered-in-emotional-ceremony|title=Flight 93 victims remembered in emotional ceremony » Local News » The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA|date=September 10, 2011|work=The Tribune-Democrat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010151334/http://tribune-democrat.com/local/x1095944616/Flight-93-victims-remembered-in-emotional-ceremony|archive-date=October 10, 2011|url-status=live|access-date=September 10, 2011}}</ref>

On June 13, 2019, McLachlan sang "[[O Canada]]" before Game 6 of the [[2019 NBA Finals]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5389223/sarah-mclachlan-canadian-anthem-raptors/|title=Sarah McLachlan, Canadian anthem singer, on the Raptors: 'It's just very uniting'|last1=Ferreras|first1=Jesse|last2=Semple|first2=Jeff|date=June 13, 2019|website=[[Global News]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616205817/https://globalnews.ca/news/5389223/sarah-mclachlan-canadian-anthem-raptors/|archive-date=June 16, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=June 13, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Sarah_McLachlan_Simpsons.png|thumb|right|McLachlan as depicted on The Simpsons in 2025]]

In 2025, McLachlan made a guest appearance on ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode "[[Estranger Things]]", where she performed a parody of her song, "[[When She Loved Me]]".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Derdeyn|first=Stuart|title=Sarah McLachlan and The Simpsons deliver a 'parody song you never saw coming'|url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/sarah-mclachlan-the-simpsons-parody-song|date=May 20, 2025|website=Vancouver Sun}}</ref>

==Influences==
McLachlan has cited [[Joan Baez]], [[Cat Stevens]], [[Simon & Garfunkel]], [[Mary O'Hara]], [[Peter Gabriel]], [[Kate Bush]], [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], [[Daniel Lanois]], [[Talk Talk]], [[Brian Eno]] and the [[Bulgarian State Television Female Vocal Choir]] as her musical influences.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://dai.mun.ca/PDFs/muse/Muse19920320.pdf|title=Sarah brought|last1=Starcher|first1=Kirsten|date=March 20, 1992|newspaper=[[The Muse (student paper)|The Muse]]|access-date=October 24, 2024}}</ref>

==Awards and achievements==
[[File:BCentertainmenthalloffame-SarahM.jpg|thumb|Sarah McLachlan recognized by BC Entertainment Hall of Fame in a sidewalk in downtown Vancouver]]{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Sarah McLachlan}}

McLachlan has been nominated for 26 [[Juno Award]]s and has won twelve. In 1992, her video for "Into the Fire" was selected as best music video. In 1998, she won Female Vocalist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year (along with [[Pierre Marchand]]), Single of the Year for "Building a Mystery", and Album of the Year for ''Surfacing''. In 2000, she won an International Achievement award and in 2004, won Pop Album of the Year for ''Afterglow'' and again shared the Songwriter of the Year award with Pierre Marchand for the singles "Fallen", "World on Fire", and "Stupid". In 2009, she was presented with the Humanitarian Award and she won the Adult Contemporary Album of the year award in 2015 for "Shine On" and again in 2017 for "Wonderland".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://junoawards.ca/awards/past-winners-nominees/?search_year_val1=1970&search_year_val2=2022&search_category_val=&search_wins_val=yes&tag_search_val=Sarah+McLachlan&submit=submit | title=Past Nominees + Winners }}</ref>

McLachlan has also won three [[Grammy Award]]s. She was awarded [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance|Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]] in 1997 for "Building a Mystery" and again in 1999 for the live version of "I Will Remember You". She also won [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance|Best Pop Instrumental Performance]] in 1997 for "Last Dance".

McLachlan's song "Building a Mystery" came in at 91 on [[VH1]]'s 100 Greatest Songs of the 1990s.<ref name=VH1 />

McLachlan was awarded the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Visionary Award in 1998 for advancing the careers of women in music. In 1999, she was appointed as an Officer of the [[Order of Canada]] in recognition of her successful recording career, her role in Lilith Fair, and the charitable donations she made to women's shelters across Canada. In 2001, she was inducted to the [[Order of British Columbia]].

McLachlan has received honours from three colleges or universities. She was recognized with an honorary degree from [[Simon Fraser University]] in 2011,<ref>{{Citation | last = Proctor | first = David | title = SFU honours McLachlan | work = [[Metro International|Metro]] | publisher = Metro International | location = Vancouver | date = June 16, 2011 | url = http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/local/article/891406--sfu-honours-mclachlan | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130115105208/http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/local/article/891406--sfu-honours-mclachlan | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 15, 2013 | access-date = June 21, 2011 }}</ref> 
received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the [[University of Alberta]] in 2013,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.ualberta.ca/newsarticles/2013/november/sarah-mclachlan-gives-grads-a-tribute-to-remember|title=Sarah McLachlan gives grads a tribute to remember|date=November 20, 2013|work=University of Alberta|access-date=November 20, 2013|archive-date=November 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122213135/http://news.ualberta.ca/newsarticles/2013/november/sarah-mclachlan-gives-grads-a-tribute-to-remember|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://new.livestream.com/aict/Convocation2013/videos/35246167|title=University of Alberta 2013 Convocation Ceremony Video|date=November 20, 2013|work=University of Alberta|access-date=November 20, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131122172638/http://new.livestream.com/aict/Convocation2013/videos/35246167|archive-date=November 22, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and was named Honorary Fellow at [[Douglas College]] in 2025.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Canadian icon and decorated singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan named 2025 Honorary Fellow|url=https://www.douglascollege.ca/news-events/2025/jun/canadian-icon-and-decorated-singer-songwriter-sarah-mclachlan-named-2025|date=June 17, 2025|website=Douglas College}}</ref>

[[Kiwanis International]] presented McLachlan with the 2013 Kiwanis International World Service Medal to recognize her for founding the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, a free music school for at-risk youth in [[Vancouver, British Columbia]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/celebrity/Photos+Sarah+McLachlan+gets+World+Service+Medal/8599542/story.html|title=Sarah McLachlan gets World Service Medal in Vancouver|last=Meherally|first=Almas|date=June 30, 2013|work=Vancouver Sun|access-date=July 2, 2013|archive-date=July 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130702140920/http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/celebrity/Photos+Sarah+McLachlan+gets+World+Service+Medal/8599542/story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2012, McLachlan was inducted into [[Canada's Walk of Fame]]. In May 2015, she received a [[Governor General's Performing Arts Award]] for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, Canada's highest honour in the performing arts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sarah McLachlan biography|url=http://ggpaa.ca/award-recipients/2015/mclachlan,-sarah.aspx|website=Governor General's Performing Arts Awards|publisher=Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Foundation|access-date=August 20, 2015|archive-date=September 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904130526/http://ggpaa.ca/award-recipients/2015/mclachlan,-sarah.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Caroline|title=Around Town: Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Gala|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/life/style/our-ottawa/around-town-governor-generals-performing-arts-awards-gala|date=May 31, 2015|work=Ottawa Citizen}}</ref>

On April 2, 2017, at the Juno Awards ceremony, McLachlan was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

In June 2018, McLachlan was awarded the Global Inspiration award at the 2018 [[Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada|SOCAN]] Awards "for her contributions to the music industry, for her profound impact on music education for Canadian youth through her School of Music, as well as for her acclaim as a songwriter in a career that's spanned 30 years".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/monday-june-18-2018-sarah-mclachlan-sloan-and-more-1.4707947/i-have-to-make-fun-of-it-sarah-mclachlan-on-the-intense-power-of-angel-the-unofficial-song-of-sorrow-1.4707955 | title='I have to make fun of it': Sarah McLachlan on the intense power of Angel, the unofficial song of sorrow | work=CBC | first=Vivian | last=Rashotte | date=18 June 2018 | access-date=13 October 2024}}</ref>

In 2024, McLachlan was inducted into the [[Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame]].<ref>David Friend, [https://globalnews.ca/news/10785133/canadian-songwriters-hall-of-fame-sarah-mclachlan-tom-cochrane/ "Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame: Sarah McLachlan, Tom Cochrane inducted"]. [[Global News]], September 29, 2024.</ref>

On September 17, 2024, [[Canada Post]] released a stamp honouring McLachlan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Digest: New Stamps of Canada, 2024, pt. 4 |url=https://findyourstampsvalue.com/news/digest-new-stamps-of-canada-2024-pt-4 |website=findyourstampsvalue.com |date=September 17, 2024 |access-date=October 17, 2024}}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
===Sarah McLachlan School of Music===

McLachlan funds an outreach program providing [[music education]] for [[inner city]] children. Having noticed that music programs were being cut from the school curriculum, McLachlan started a free music school in 2002 using money that she had earned from the Lilith Fair tour to give children access to music instruction.<ref name="k810">{{cite news| last=Gee | first=Dana | title=After 'a rough six months,' Sarah McLachlan is back and her voice is strong | work=Vancouver Sun | date=12 June 2025 | url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/after-a-rough-six-months-sarah-mclachlan-is-back-and-her-voice-is-strong | access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> In 2007, the provincial government granted $500,000 in funding for the outreach program.<ref name="u577">{{cite web | date=14 May 2007|title=B.C. Gives $500,000 to Music Oureach Project for Youth |publisher=Office of the Premier | url=http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2007OTP0063-000619.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116203410/http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2007OTP0063-000619.htm | archive-date=16 January 2011 | url-status=dead | access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> Originating as the "Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach", this program evolved into the Sarah McLachlan School of Music (SoM).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/charity/sarah-mclachlan-school-of-music|title=Sarah McLachlan School of Music: Celebrity Supporters|website=Looktothestars.org|access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> SoM provides [[At-risk students|at-risk]] children who have limited opportunities for music education with free instruction in guitar, piano, percussion and choir composing, songwriting, stage production, voice, choir, music theory and new media.<ref name="k810"/><ref name=Connor>{{Cite web|last=Conner|first=Shawn|title=Sarah McLachlan School of Music celebrates over 10 years of meeting students where theyre at|url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/local-arts/sarah-mclachlan-school-of-music-celebrates-over-10-years-of-meeting-students-where-theyre-at|date=October 8, 2021|work=Vancouver Sun| access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Van Evra|first=Jennifer|title=Buffy Sainte-Marie, Sarah McLachlan, Fred Penner and more on why music education is important|url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/buffy-sainte-marie-sarah-mclachlan-fred-penner-and-more-on-why-music-education-is-important-1.5402618|date=December 19, 2019|work=CBC| access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> 

The school is housed in a converted bowling alley, donated in 2011 by the Wolverton Foundation.<ref name="Laba">{{Cite news|last=Laba|first=Nick|title=Sarah McLachlan’s music school remains a bright light for students facing financial barriers|url=https://www.nsnews.com/local-arts/sarah-mclachlan-music-school-remains-a-bright-light-for-students-facing-financial-barriers-10795194|date=June 12, 2025|work=North Shore News| access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref><ref name=Connor/> In 2016, the school expanded to [[Edmonton]], Alberta, operating from [[MacEwan University]].<ref name=French>{{Cite news|last=French|first=Janet|title=Sarah McLachlan expands music program for students in need to Edmonton|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/sarah-mclachlan-expands-music-program-for-kids-in-need-to-edmonton|date=May 26, 2016|work=Edmonton Journal| access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Knopp|first=Elliott|title=Sarah McLachlan School of Music comes to MacEwan University for underprivileged youth|url=https://edmonton.citynews.ca/2023/01/25/sarah-mclachlan-school-music-macewan-university/|date=January 25, 2023|work=Edmonton City News| access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> In 2024, SoM opened a program space in [[Douglas College]] in New Westminster.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chan|first=Kenneth|title=Four-storey vertical expansion for building home to Sarah McLachlan School of Music in Vancouver|url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/sarah-mclachlan-school-of-music-vancouver-building-expansion|date=March 28, 2025|work=Daily Hive|access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> These music schools have the same initiatives as the Vancouver school.<ref name=French/>

In the 2024/2025 school year, SoM provided group and private lessons to 1,754 students.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Our Financials|url=https://www.sarahschoolofmusic.com/our-financials |publisher=Sarah McLachlan School of Music|access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref> Most students stay in SoM for 8 years, until they graduate from high school.<ref name="Laba"/>

===ASPCA===
McLachlan supported the [[American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals]] by appearing in advertisements. She filmed a two-minute advertisement for the organization which featured her song "[[Angel (Sarah McLachlan song)|Angel]]".<ref name=Strom /> The advertisement's imagery of shelter animals mixed with the soundtrack and McLachlan's simple appeal for donations has raised $30 million for the ASPCA since it began to air in 2006, which allowed the organization to air appeals in higher profile prime-time cable ad slots; subsequently the organization produced a new ad for the 2008 holiday season featuring McLachlan appealing for the ASPCA over her ''[[Wintersong]]'' performance of "[[Silent Night]]", and a new ad with her was released in January 2009 featuring the song "Answer".<ref name=Strom /> In 2012, McLachlan wrote a letter on behalf of [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]] to then-Canadian Prime Minister [[Stephen Harper]], protesting that country's annual [[seal hunt]].<ref>Kenyon Wallace, "[https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1159336--sarah-mclachlan-asks-stephen-harper-to-end-seal-hunt?bn=1 Sarah McLachlan Asks Stephen Harper to End Seal Hunt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623142056/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/1159336--sarah-mclachlan-asks-stephen-harper-to-end-seal-hunt?bn=1 |date=June 23, 2012 }}", Toronto Star, April 10, 2012.</ref> During [[Super Bowl XLVIII]] on February 3, 2014, McLachlan parodied her ASPCA appeals in an [[Audi]] commercial featuring a "Doberhuahua" dog gnawing on the neck of her guitar.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2014/02/02/audis-menacing-mutt-super-bowl-commercial/|title=Audi's menacing mutt Super Bowl commercial|last=Judkis|first=Maura|date=February 2, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=February 3, 2014}}</ref> She would also do another parody of these appeals on [[Super Bowl LVII]] on February 12, 2023, this time for a commercial for [[Busch Light]].<ref>{{cite news|title=People Are Saying Sarah McLachlan's Super Bowl Ad for Busch Light Is a "Masterpiece"|url=https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/a42789858/busch-light-super-bowl-commercial-sarah-mclachlan/|work=Country Living|date=February 7, 2023}}</ref>

=== Other charitable contributions ===

McLachlan contributed the track "[[Hold On (Sarah McLachlan song)|Hold On]]" to the 1993 AIDS-benefit album ''[[No Alternative]]'', produced by the [[Red Hot Organization]]. She also performed at the [[Leonard Peltier]] Defense Fund Benefit Concert on February 12, 1997, and went on to release a cover version of "[[Unchained Melody]]" created as part of her support for Peltier. It was later included on the album ''[[Rarities, B-Sides and Other Stuff Volume 2]]''.<ref>[http://www.bluerodeo.com/music/associates/oneDegree.aspx?PostID=347634&artist=SarahMcLachlan Sarah McLachlan Biography at Blue Rodeo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812145050/http://www.bluerodeo.com/music/associates/oneDegree.aspx?PostID=347634&artist=SarahMcLachlan |date=August 12, 2013 }}. Retrieved August 11, 2010.</ref>

In early 2005, McLachlan took part in a star-studded [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|tsunami disaster]] relief [[telethon]] on [[NBC]]. On January 29, McLachlan was a headliner for a [[benefit concert]] in Vancouver along with other Canadian superstars, such as [[Avril Lavigne]] and [[Bryan Adams]]. The show also featured a performance by the Sarah McLachlan Musical Outreach Choir & Percussion Ensemble, a children's choir and percussion band. Entitled ''One World: The Concert for Tsunami Relief'', the concert raised approximately $3.6 million for several Canadian aid agencies working in south and southeast Asia.

On July 2, 2005, McLachlan participated in the [[Live 8#Philadelphia, USA|Philadelphia installment]] of the [[Live 8]] concerts, where she performed her hit "Angel" with [[Josh Groban]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-02 |title=Remembering Live 8 in Philly on July 2, 2005 |url=https://xpn.org/2013/07/02/remembering-live-8-in-philly-on-july-2-2005/ |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=WXPN {{!}} Vinyl At Heart |language=en}}</ref> These concerts were intended to coincide with the [[G8 summit]] to put pressure on the leaders of the world's richest nations to fight poverty in Africa by cancelling debt.

In 2008, she donated a song to [[Aid Still Required]]'s CD to assist with the restoration of the devastation done to Southeast Asia from the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 tsunami]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sarah McLachlan: Charity Work & Causes |url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/sarah-mclachlan |access-date=2023-08-22 |website=Look to the Stars |language=en}}</ref>

On November 30, 2012, McLachlan lent her support to [[Kate Winslet]]'s Golden Hat Foundation together with [[Tim Janis]], [[Loreena McKennitt]], [[Andrea Corr]], [[Hayley Westenra]], [[Sleepy Man Banjo Boys]], Dawn Kenney, [[Jana Mashonee]], Amy Petty and a choir etc. performing on "The American Christmas Carol" concert in [[Carnegie Hall]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Sarah-McLachlan-Andrea-Corr-and-More-Set-for-Tim-Janis-American-Christmas-Carol-Concert-1130-20120914 |title=American Christmas Carol Concert |publisher=broadwayworld.com |date=September 14, 2012 |access-date=December 2, 2012 |archive-date=November 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101014304/http://broadwayworld.com/article/Sarah-McLachlan-Andrea-Corr-and-More-Set-for-Tim-Janis-American-Christmas-Carol-Concert-1130-20120914 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenhatfoundation.org/about-us/blog |title=The American Christmas Carol |publisher=goldenhatfoundation.org |access-date=December 2, 2012}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=November 2021}}

McLachlan is a member of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://artistsagainstracism.org/radio-2/|title=Radio - Artists Against Racism|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-08|archive-date=October 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007213912/http://artistsagainstracism.org/radio-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Sarah McLachlan discography}}
<!--For main studio albums only-->

===Studio albums===
* ''[[Touch (Sarah McLachlan album)|Touch]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Solace (Sarah McLachlan album)|Solace]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Fumbling Towards Ecstasy]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Surfacing (album)|Surfacing]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Afterglow (Sarah McLachlan album)|Afterglow]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Wintersong]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Laws of Illusion]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Shine On (Sarah McLachlan album)|Shine On]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Wonderland (Sarah McLachlan album)|Wonderland]]'' (2016)
* ''[[Better Broken]]'' (2025)

==References==
<references>
<ref name="allmusicWintersong">{{cite web | title = Wintersong—Credits | work = [[AllMusic]] | publisher = [[Rovi Corporation]] | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r857256/credits|pure_url=yes}} | access-date =March 13, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="mommusic">{{cite news | title = Mom makes music | newspaper = Canada.com | publisher = [[Canwest]] | date = September 30, 2008 | url = http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/arts/story.html?id=e8f5f589-b813-472a-aef1-9a38da2a8204 | access-date = March 13, 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604120245/http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/arts/story.html?id=e8f5f589-b813-472a-aef1-9a38da2a8204 | archive-date = June 4, 2011 | df = mdy-all}}</ref>
<ref name="billboard">{{cite news | title = New McLachlan Songs Evoke Personal Turmoil | newspaper = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | publisher = Nielsen Business Media | url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044126/new-mclachlan-songs-evoke-personal-turmoil | access-date = March 13, 2010 | archive-date = January 11, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140111023149/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044126/new-mclachlan-songs-evoke-personal-turmoil | url-status = live}}</ref>
<ref name="NYT">{{cite news | last = Essex | first = Andrew | title = MUSIC; Forget the Movie. Listen to the CD. | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | date = December 27, 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/27/movies/music-forget-the-movie-listen-to-the-cd.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all | access-date = March 13, 2010 | archive-date = June 17, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130617165854/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/27/movies/music-forget-the-movie-listen-to-the-cd.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all | url-status = live}}</ref>
<ref name="cnn072898">{{cite news | last = Freydkin | first = Donna | title = Lilith Fair: Lovely, lively and long overdue | newspaper = [[CNN]] | publisher = [[Turner Broadcasting System]] | date = July 28, 1998 | url = http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Music/9807/28/lilith.fair/ | access-date = March 13, 2010 | archive-date = March 6, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044451/http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Music/9807/28/lilith.fair/ | url-status = live}}</ref>
<ref name="VH1">{{cite web | title = 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s—Full Episode Summary | publisher = [[MTV Networks]] | url = http://www.vh1.com/shows/the_greatest/episode.jhtml?episodeID=127759 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101008055736/http://www.vh1.com/shows/the_greatest/episode.jhtml?episodeID=127759 | url-status = dead | archive-date = October 8, 2010 | access-date =March 13, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="Strom">{{cite news | last = Strom | first = Stephanie | author-link = Stephanie Strom | title = Ad Featuring Singer Proves Bonanza for the A.S.P.C.A. | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | pages = A20 | date = December 25, 2008 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/us/26charity.html?_r=1 | access-date = March 13, 2010 | archive-date = December 23, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171223060848/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/26/us/26charity.html?_r=1 | url-status = live}}</ref>
</references>

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q224650|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|wikt=no|s=no|c=category:Sarah McLachlan}}
* {{official website}}
* {{AllMusic}}
* {{Discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{MusicBrainz artist}}
* [http://www.makers.com/sarah-mclachlan Sarah McLachlan] Video produced by ''[[Makers: Women Who Make America]]''

{{Sarah McLachlan|state=expanded}}
{{Canadian Music Hall of Fame}}
{{Juno Award for Album of the Year (1980-1999)}}
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