Essence 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 configurations available
Headliners
Festival lineup
- Alex Boyd
- Aretha Franklin
- Big Sam's Funky Nation
- Bridget Kelly
- Carl Thomas
- Charlie Wilson
- D'Angelo
- Dru Hill
- Eric Roberson
- Estelle
- Eve
- Fantasia
- Gary Clark Jr.
- Kevin Hart
- Keyshia Cole
- Khris Royal & Dark Matter
- Luke James
- Marsha Ambrosius
- Mary J. Blige
- Mary Mary
- Melanie Fiona
- Nephew Tommy
- Q Parker
- Raheem Devaughn
- SWV
- Stephanie Mills
- Tank
- Tendra Moses
- The Pointer Sisters
- The Robert Glasper Experiment
- The Stooges Brass Band
- Trey Songz
- Vivian Green
- Yolanda Adams
Festival News and Rumors

Dethklok and Run the Jewels Top the Bill for 2022 Adult Swim Festival Block Party
The three-day fest will be staged across multiple venues August 5th-7th in Philadelphia.
Spencer Kaufman May 18, 2022

Music Midtown 2022: Jack White, MCR, Fall Out Boy, and More to Play Atlanta Fest
Alex Young May 17, 2022

Chemical Brothers, M.I.A., Flume, Jamie xx to Play Inaugural Portola Music Festival in San Francisco
Alex Young May 16, 2022

Reunited Sunny Day Real Estate Added to Furnace Fest Lineup
The emo pioneers are making their first live appearances since 2010.
Jon Hadusek May 12, 2022

Riot Fest 2022 Lineup: MCR, Misfits, Nine Inch Nails, Bauhaus, Sunny Day Real Estate & More
Carys Anderson May 11, 2022