ssence Music Festival is an annual music festival celebrating contemporary African American music and culture. It is the largest event celebrating African American culture and music in the United States. It has been held in New Orleans, Louisiana every year since 1995 except for 2006, where it was held in Houston, Texas due to Hurricane Katrina. Essence Music Festival, known locally as Essence Fest, is sponsored by Essence, a magazine aimed primarily towards African-American women.
Ticket Price: Multiple packages available
Headliners
Festival lineup
- Alexander O'Neal & Cherrelle
- Boyz II Men
- Brian Courtney Wilson
- Chaka Khan
- Charlie Wilson
- Cherrelle
- Doug E. Fresh
- Dwele
- El DeBarge
- Fantasia
- George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
- Hal Linton
- Hot 8 Brass Band
- Irma Thomas
- Jennifer Hudson
- Jill Scott
- KEM
- Kanye West
- Kelly Price
- Kourtney Heart
- Loose Ends
- M.C. Lyte
- Macy Gray
- Mary J. Blige
- Mavis Staples
- Miguel
- Mint Condition
- Morris Day and the Time
- Naughty By Nature
- New Edition
- Rebirth Brass Band
- Shamarr Allen and the Underdawgs
- Stephanie Mills
- Stephanie Mills
- Tank
- Timothy Bloom
- Trey Songz
- Trin-i-Tee 5:7
- Usher
- Vanessa Bell Armstrong
Festival News and Rumors
Insane Clown Posse Announce Otherworldly 2023 Edition of Gathering of the Juggalos
The festival promises such such attractions as "ICP's Alien Probe Adventure"
Bryan Kress May 22, 2023
Hopscotch 2023: Pavement, Denzel Curry, Japanese Breakfast Top Lineup
Alvvays, Digable Planets, Soccer Mommy, and more will also hit the Raleigh fest this September.
Abby Jones May 19, 2023
Live Nation Offering $99 All-In Festival Tickets During Festival Weekend
Governors Ball Roots Picnic, Sound on Sound, and more are participating in the discount.
Carys Anderson May 17, 2023
The National's Homecoming 2023 Lineup Led by Patti Smith, Pavement, & The Walkmen
Weyes Blood, Snail Mail, and Bartees Strange will also play the Cincinnati festival.
Eddie Fu May 17, 2023
Riot Fest's Killer 2023 Lineup Led by Foo Fighters, The Cure & The Postal Service
Carys Anderson May 16, 2023
Guns N' Roses, Billie Eilish, and P!NK to Headline Music Midtown's 2023 Lineup
P!NK, The 1975, Flume, Incubus, and Tove Lo are also set to play the Atlanta festival.
Scoop Harrison May 16, 2023