Three weeks after the Lovers & Friends Festival in Las Vegas was canceled, Usher fans are in for a treat. The eight-time Grammy winner will now perform his iconic album “Confessions” during a special one-night-only event at the 2024 Essence Festival of Culture. This annual four-day event, presented by Coca-Cola, will be held from July 4-7 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
The weekend will also honor the 20th anniversary of “Confessions” and celebrate the Essence Festival’s 30th anniversary under the theme “We Love Us.” The star-studded lineup includes R&B/pop legend Janet Jackson, Birdman & Friends with a special performance celebrating 30 years of Cash Money Millionaires, three-time Grammy winner Victoria Monét, and Essence Festival veteran Charlie Wilson. Tank and the Bangas will lead a New Orleans takeover with a curated performance featuring special guests and local artists Teedra Moses, HaSizzle, and Dawn Richard.
A tribute to Frankie Beverly & Maze, who were the festival’s closing act for its first 15 years, will also be a highlight. This tribute will include a “passing of the torch” moment curated by Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Bryan-Michael Cox. Evening concerts will be hosted by Keke Palmer, Pretty Vee, Big Tigger, Punkie Johnson, and Kenny Burns, with special DJ sets from Raj Smoove, DJ Clark Kent, and DJ Beverly Bond.
DJ D-Nice will bring his popular Club Quarantine to the Superdome, featuring a multi-genre lineup including Method Man, Sheila E., Big Boi, Donell Jones, Tweet, Machel Montano, and Lloyd. Each night will also feature curated performances by Grammy-winning band The Roots & Friends, including Ari Lennox, Mickey Guyton, special guest T-Pain, and the reunion of R&B supergroup TGT (Tyrese, Ginuwine, and Tank). Additional performers include Ayra Starr, SWV, Busta Rhymes, and Jacquees, with more talent announcements expected in the coming weeks.
