New Orleans’ Essence Festival has just announced its line-up for 2018 which features headliners Janet Jackson who returns to the festival since her performance in 2010, and Mary J. Blige who will be a part of the festival for the 12th time since 2002. They will be joined by more than 40 other acts in Louisiana Superdome from July 5 to July 8.
The 2018 edition of Essence Festival will also feature Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and Snoop Dogg accompanied by other guests in a special curation by The Roots. Miguel, Fantasia, Xscape, Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Kelela, Ro James, DVSN, 112, Mali Music, Kevin Ross, Marsha Ambrosius and Teddy Riley’s New Jack Swing Experience are also scheduled to perform on Mainstage and the four Superlounges. Essence Festival will also present DJ sets for the first time in history, with actor turned DJ Idris Elba, MC Lyte, and others. American comedian Roy Wood Jr. will serve as a Mainstage host.
You can check out the official announcement below.
Jump for joy? Praise dance? Clutch your pearls? Cry? The 2018 #EssenceFest lineup is evoking all kinds of emotions. Grab your tickets now at https://t.co/vbIWDycsWY. pic.twitter.com/sPym9NjXBi
— ESSENCE Festival (@essencefest) January 25, 2018
“In 2018 women are at the forefront of a seismic shift reverberating across the cultural landscape,” said Essence Communications president Michelle Ebanks in a press release announcing the lineup. “This movement comes to life for our community at the Essence Festival.”
This already massive line-up will be joined by more acts which will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
Essence Festival originally started as a one-time event in 1995, serving as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine while also promoting African-American culture and music.
