Essence Festival adds Usher to 2024 talent headliners

NEW ORLEANS — R&B superstar Usher will join the nightly concert lineup for the 30th anniversary of the Essence Festival of Culture this summer.

Organizers announced Thursday evening that Usher, who is no stranger to the event, will perform during the festival, which this year will take place July 4-7 at various venues throughout New Orleans. As the festival marks three decades, Usher is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of his 2004 album “Confessions,” which helped propel his career.

“The evening concert series at Caesar’s Superdome will be rooted in heritage and evolution, to represent the festival’s journey throughout its rich history to today,” the festival said in a statement from press.

Usher first performed at Essence in 1998 and has returned to the festival several times.

Janet Jackson, Victoria Monet, Birdman & Friends and festival veteran Charlie Wilson will also be in attendance. The four-day event will conclude with the return of the all-white party and a special tribute to Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly, hosted by producer and songwriter Bryan-Michael Cox, organizers said.

In addition to nightly concerts inside the Superdome, the festival will include programming on networking, finance, careers, wellness, fashion, beauty and more at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and in other places in the city.

Launched in 1995 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine, the festival has grown into the world’s largest celebration of black women, culture and communities, bringing together more than 530,000 people each year over the July 4 weekend in New Orleans, Essence Communications Inc. said.

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