Bruno Mars and Janet Jackson to Headline 2020 Essence Fest

The 2020 Essence Festival continues its 50th anniversary celebration lineup with the announcement of Grammy-Award winning megastar and first time festival performer, Bruno Mars. Also headlining is superstar Janet Jackson, is returning with her just announced and highly-anticipated Black Diamond World Tour.

Patti Labelle, Ari Lennox, Summer Walker, Elephant Man, Janelle Monae, Raphael Saadiq, and others are set to perform on the main stage. Jidenna, Rapsody, June’s Diary, Tank, Tamia, Doug E. Fresh, Saweetie and Goldlink are among those set to perform in different superlounges. 

Essence hasn’t said yet which nights the acts will perform. Jackson recently released her tour dates for her upcoming “Black Diamond” tour and her performance at Essence will be on July 3, the opening night.

The evening concert series is set to take place July 3-5 in New Orleans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Loni Love will return as the main stage host. Essence Fest will include two extra days of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary year of Essence magazine.

As the world’s largest cultural, music, entertainment and empowerment experience and the global epicenter of Black culture, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture has created a home for Black artists and communities around the world for 26 years and routinely attracts more than half a million international attendees over July 4th weekend. In honor of the brand’s 50th anniversary and marking one day for each decade, the Festival will be extended for the first time from three days to five days and will take place July 1-5 in New Orleans, LA.  This year’s theme, “Own Our Power,” will be at the center of performances, conversations and activations that span arts, entertainment, music, beauty, fashion, technology, film, food, wellness, advocacy, civic engagement, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

The Festival’s three-night concert series at the Louisiana Superdome—featuring an eclectic global mix of R&B, Hip-Hop, Reggaeton, Afrobeats and more—includes: 

Mainstage:

Bruno Mars, Janet Jackson (headliners); Ari Lennox; Janelle Monae; Patti LaBelle; Raphael Saadiq (Performing songs across his entire career from Tony! Toni! Tone! through his solo albums, including Jimmy Lee); Estelle Presents Reggae & Afrobeats Link Up featuring Afro B, Chronnix, Elephant Man, Kranium, Max Glazer, Maxi Priest, Shenseea and more; Summer Walker; Swizz Beatz Presents In the Zone featuring guest artists; and more. Hosted by Loni Love. Music by D-Nice. In addition, the Mainstage will feature rousing tributes to music icons each night, including a special anniversary celebration on July 4th.  

Superlounges:

Casmé, D Smoke; Demi Grace; Doug E. Fresh Presents The Real Hip-Hop and R&B Party; Elah Hale; Goldlink; Jac Ross; Jamesdavis; Jidenna; June’s Diary; Kiana Lede; Kitty Cash; Leikeli47; Masego; Mr Eazi; Oswin Benjamin; Rapsody; Saweetie; SiR; Smino; Stokley; Tamia; Tank and the Bangas; Teamarrr; The New Respects; Umi. 

Weekend ticket packages are on sale now with prices starting at $180. For information about ticket sales, accommodations, recently launched exhibitor applications and VIP travel packages,  and the latest news about the ESSENCE Festival of Culture,  visit Essence.com/festival.

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