Overall Rating
4.3
By VeeDallas
Ehh
This was my first time at Essence and it will be my last. I choose to go Saturday because I liked that evenings' lineup the best. I wasn't able to Ella Mai because we were able to get into the Superlounge plus I would've missed Xscape. Queen Latifah sang broadway melodies (boring), and brought out Brandi, Missy, and Remy. I wanted them to perform longer, but she had to sing for 45 minutes or longer.
By FriendToU
A great time
The concert was awesome! Teddy Riley and all of the people he brought was a nice flash from the past. I don’t want to call names because with each introduction it was a party. Fantasia was great and Janet was too! I had a blast!
By Anonymous
Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!!!!!!!
By 1Empress
Jilly from Philly, Snoop and Erykah Badu killed it
The show was AWESOME!!! The sound was TERRIBLE at times. Per the person in front of me the sound is ALWAYS terrible at Essence Fest! They NEED to do better with sound check.
By Cutieclay
Life!!!
Essence Fest game for redemption this year. The line up the pass year was a flop. I can’t wait to see who they are bringing for the 25 year anniversary next year!! I enjoyed the whole experience
By TSB55
2018 Essence Festival
The whole experience was one to always be remembered. Seminars and Music were all wonderful. The lines to the restaurants were all insane and none took reservations, it just seems to me that if reservations were offered and a two hour table limit the waiting in lines would not be as overwhelming in the heat and one could be seeing a little more of the city.
By Jbaileybaby
The sound system
The sound system was not right during the beginning of the shows but got better then went back bad.
By SherryAJul
Mary J was great
Great job it was a shame that the food at convention ran out and the lines were too long.
By kietam
First Essence Experience
Absolutely amazing 3-day event. So, much entertainment for all ages.
By CassLM
Outstanding
I absolutely loved every night of concerts...each act was mind-blowing. I will definitely be attending next year.
About ESSENCE Festival
Essence Festival of Culture always brings the biggest and best names in Hip-Hop, R&B, soul, funk, and gospel to the Evening Concert series lineup. Buy your tickets NOW for the music, and join us for the party as we celebrate Culture, Community and Commerce, only at #essencefest in New Orleans!
The multi-day ESSENCE Festival of Culture celebrates the CULTURE, delivering on its promise of loving us, bringing joy and creating space for community and commerce in New Orleans every 4th of July weekend, for the past 30 years. Originally a one-time affair to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine, this multi-day experience will commemorate 55 years of the magazine that has changed people's lives.
Black Culture comes to life in experiences beyond the Evening Concert Series, including SOKO MRKT™ celebrating emerging Black businesses; empowering conversations on multiple stages with the Global Black Economic Forum; a special edition of Beautycon™, Essence Authors; AFROPUNK and its kaleidoscope of Black futurism; Suede (The Men's Experience); a culinary exploration of the diaspora at Essence Food & Wine Festival; and community activism in the Community Impact Hub.
We Love Us. Let us show you how!