Shania Twain’s iconic anthem “Man! I Really Feel Like a Lady!” was not originally intended for an all-female audience, yet its impact reached new heights when Twain performed it as the exhilarating finale at Brandi Carlile’s Women Just Wanna Weekend festival. Over the years, this ’90s hit has transformed into a celebration of empowerment, especially when Twain took the stage alongside a predominantly female crowd. As one of the top headliners at this annual event in Cancun, her performance, paired with collaborative mid-set duets, delivered unforgettable joy to the thousands of festival-goers. This vibrant atmosphere provided a refreshing escape from the often toxic masculinity prevalent in traditional music festivals, creating an atmosphere of unity and celebration among women.

Backstage, moments before her own performance at the Women Just Wanna Weekend festival, Twain and Carlile engaged in an insightful conversation with Variety. They reflected on their long-anticipated collaboration and how Twain discovered that Carlile’s vision for a utopian festival environment was not merely an empty promise. Their discussion delved deeper into their shared admiration for one another, from Carlile’s early days covering Twain’s songs in local bar bands to Twain’s belief that Carlile has yet to fully unleash her potential as a “rock goddess.” This candid exchange showcased the profound respect and connection between these two trailblazing artists.

Shania, Brandi has expressed her desire for you to participate in Women Just Wanna Weekend for quite some time. What insights did she share regarding the festival’s essence?

Twain: She emphasized that this festival is a unique experience unlike any other. It embodies a sense of unity and is truly a community that she has carefully cultivated over the years. Now in its sixth year, I told her that six is my favorite number. Listening to Brandi’s heartfelt descriptions of the festival, I realized she wasn’t just making empty promises; you genuinely have to experience it to fully grasp its significance. When she mentioned it felt like a family gathering, I understood her completely. The atmosphere is peaceful, and everyone here is united in their shared appreciation for music and connection.

Carlile: When I was around 16 or 17 years old — I can’t quite do the math, but it was in 1997 — the first event I was allowed to attend as a young adult was the Lilith Fair at the Gorge in Washington state.

Twain: Yes, you shared that experience with me some time ago.

Carlile: I remember being this punky little kid with a short haircut and a sunburn, with just enough money to buy a bucket of Mountain Dew at that festival. I vividly recall a woman in line behind me saying, “Honey, I’m putting some sunscreen on your shoulders. You’re going to get burned! What are you doing? You should be drinking water!” It was as if she was looking out for me, and it had a lasting impact on me.

Twain: She was nurturing you.

Carlile: Exactly! She insisted that I get a bottle of water, applied sunscreen to me, and then I was off to see Erykah Badu. At that moment, I realized I couldn’t get away with anything. But I felt so embraced by this group of women who sought a different kind of experience at the festival. They wanted a sense of unity and genuine care for one another. While I may not have fully appreciated it then, as I grew older and had my own daughters, I began to reflect on that energy. Where else can we find such a powerful sense of community at concerts and festivals today? There are so many issues, like the reports from Book More Women, which advocate for better gender representation in the concert industry, highlighting the predatory behavior and harassment that can occur at longer festivals. I’m not trying to disparage rock ‘n’ roll, but there’s something profound about a gathering of people supporting music with a shared feeling of unity. I thought a smaller-scale focus group could help create that atmosphere, and I’m thrilled to see how it has grown and hope to replicate that energy back home.

Twain: Absolutely! It should continue to grow. We discussed this earlier, but I feel there’s a strong sense of sisterhood and motherhood among women, especially in this industry, which I’ve often felt I missed out on throughout my career, primarily surrounded by men. However, I now have more women involved in my daily show work than ever before. My band includes a female lead guitarist, drummer, and violinist, which is a significant shift. In my younger years, I rarely encountered female drummers; the only women I saw were vocalists — backup singers — in very specific settings. I wasn’t a part of the indie scene, often navigating rock or country music, which was predominantly male.

Carlile: There were hardly any women in the indie scene either; the numbers were extremely limited.

Twain: Right, there were a few indie bands, but not many freelance musicians or female studio musicians at all. It was quite rare. I feel like I missed out on a lot of opportunities to connect with other women in music, and I still crave that connection. With a husband and a son, and occasionally a female dog, I find myself thinking, “Wow! We’re achieving some balance here!” It feels incredibly refreshing to spend time with other women, even if it’s just to escape the pressures that can come from being in a male-dominated space.

During my teenage years, I had male friends, but many of them were gay, so I often found myself in gay bars surrounded by men. It was liberating because I could dress up and feel attractive without any unwanted attention. It was all about having fun, not about seeking validation.

Carlile: Right. There were likely very few spaces where you felt that kind of freedom.

Twain: Exactly! I had a curvy figure and was often dressed to accentuate it. When you dress to highlight your body, it’s challenging to go to bars with heterosexual men without being constantly hit on. It can be exhausting and detracts from the experience if that’s not what you’re looking for. Women Just Wanna Weekend is one of those rare places where you can truly feel free, joyful, and carefree. I feel a sense of giddiness here.

Carlile: You can still be flirty and embrace your sexuality while feeling safe and simply having fun.

Twain: Hats off to you for continuing to nurture this environment. It will only grow from here.

Carlile: Your presence here has fundamentally shifted the trajectory of the festival. The validation you bring is monumental for us. Thank you for being here; it means the world to us. You could easily fill arenas many times over, yet you chose to grace us with your presence. We will always express our gratitude.

Twain: You are the keystone in all of this. I have immense respect for you, and that means everything to me.

Shania, it’s likely you’ve never performed a gig before where nearly 95% of the audience are women, especially while performing “Man! I Really Feel Like a Lady!”

Carlile: Or something in between! That’s what made it so special.

Twain: It resonates with everyone, which is the beauty of it. It’s an inclusive anthem, regardless of who is in the audience. I find it amusing when I hear little kids singing it because it embodies such joy.

Carlile: My daughter sings it all the time. It’s hilarious to hear her loudly hum the guitar riff and belt out, “Man, I feel like a woman!” It’s truly a joy to witness a six-year-old enjoying it.

Twain: Everyone makes it their own, and that’s what makes it feel right at home. The audience was amazing and truly exceeded expectations.

The significant presence of queer women at the festival is apparent. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm for “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and the sight of thousands of lesbians singing “Any Man of Mine” at the top of their lungs, completely unironically.

Twain: I know! I had actually thought about that before the show. Even songs like “Honey, I’m Home” contain playful jabs at female and male relationships, drawing from my observations of heterosexual dynamics. They often seem so clear-cut, yet I enjoy amplifying that with humor and wit.

Carlile: Absolutely! You consistently portray a strong character in those heterosexual relationships, granting a sense of autonomy and authority that resonates with your audience. I believe that this is part of why you’ve become such a beloved icon among lesbians. I used to cover “Any Man of Mine” with my band before I became a recording artist. I performed it on guitar and had no reservations about singing those lyrics, even though I’ve never dated a man. It’s because of you; your presence in those songs is akin to Tanya Tucker’s, embodying strength and confidence that I deeply connect with.

Twain: That conviction is key. I wasn’t concerned about the reception of those songs, but I was definitely warned during the recording process. When those songs reached A&R at the label later in the recording process, it was intentional because I didn’t want them to influence or alter my message. I believe that when you speak with conviction and authenticity, audiences connect because they believe what you’re saying, creating a camaraderie between the artist and the listener. It’s really not about men at all; it’s about how we all feel. They worried that women would reject me, thinking I was a “bossy bitch.” Yet women embraced those songs and adopted them as their own. I believe women inherently possess fierce conviction.

Carlile: We do indeed take cues from our art. Your work provides that much-needed nudge of confidence. You embody that strong character consistently in your music, and I can think of many examples.

Both of you have clearly fostered a mutual admiration. Do you each have a favorite song of the other, or one that left a lasting impact on you?

Twain: There are definitely many to choose from, but I’ll go first.

Carlile: Please do.