ESSENCE wants you to grab your squad and plan your trip as it announces its star-studded initial talent line-up for the 2018 ESSENCE Festival, taking place July 5-8 in New Orleans.
The nightly concert series keeps the spotlight on women, featuring headline performances from Janet Jackson; Mary J. Blige; a headline set featuring Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, with special guests Snoop Dogg and a special curation by The Roots.
This year’s Festival will feature chart-topping names and inspiring experiences across four days of music, culture, empowerment and entertainment. The nighttime concerts will feature more than 40 acts and will take place across five stages at the Louisiana Superdome—including the Festival’s renowned Mainstage and four intimate Superlounges.
For the first-time, the Festival will also feature an ESSENCE Superlounge with a unique DJ-curated experience—with offerings by actor/DJ Idris Elba, MC Lyte and more. Also, for the first-time, the Festival welcomes an interactive music experience with The Read’s Kid Fury and Crissle hosting a Superlounge.
Comedian Roy Wood, Jr. will be the host of the mainstage.
“In 2018, women are at the forefront of a seismic shift reverberating across the cultural landscape, and this movement comes to life for our community at the ESSENCE Festival,” Michelle Ebanks, president, Essence Communications said.
“Some of the most iconic female artists and powerhouse performers of this generation—Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia and others—embrace ESSENCE and the Festival as a sacred space to entertain, inspire, revel in culture and be renewed.”
Weekend ticket packages are on sale now with prices starting at $150. For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE Festival® visit EssenceFestival.com.
See you in New Orleans!
♥♥