Seems like a good lineup, Chris Brown, Rihana, Keisha Cole, Mary overrted Blige, kanye can't rap or sing West, and others. I am driving down to New Orleans July 3-7!! Anyone else going to be there????
[Edited 6/10/08 11:55am]

I had plans to go, but decided to purchase a house instead. I don't regret the decision after seeing the line up.

I've seen Maze 10 times (same show warmed over).
I don't care that much about Chris Brown, Rihanna, Keyshia Cole, or Mary.
I don't like Kayne.

I guess, I might enjoy the small clubs pretty good, but I can wait to see some of the blues acts when they come through town.


Where are you driving from?

other then Mary (who I like better on record anyway) that lineup is tragic

muse87 said:

i was thinking the same thing but figured i must be too old or something.

muse87 said:

so is the fact that people actually allow these tools to have careers

daPrettyman said:

I am driving from Minneapolis!!

muse87 said:

really and all this time I thought Mary is the worst one!!

cheeseburger said:

That's a good lineup?

cheeseburger said:

OMG!!! I was going to complain about the 8hr drive from Dallas! Of course, its cheaper to fly for Dallas. Southwest flies to New Orleans for about $50 one way.

Here is the lineup from the Essence site:

Mainstage:
Friday, July 4
rihanna, chris brown, kanye west

Saturday, July 5
musiq, ll cool j, jill scott, patti labelle

Sunday, July 6
morris day, keyshia cole, chris rock, mary j blige, maze featuring frankie beverly


Superlounge Artists
Friday, July 4th
BIG SAM'S FUNKY NATION FEATURING NEW ORLEANS FUNK AND SOUL EXPLOSION
TERENCE BLANCHARD
PEABO BRYSON
GRANDMASTER FLASH
MINT CONDITION
REBIRTH BRASS BAND
CHRISTIAN SCOTT


Saturday, July 5th
IRVIN MAYFIELD JAZZ ORCHESTRA
LYFE JENNINGS
KERMIT RUFFINS BAND
SOLANGE KNOWLES
LEDISI
CUPID


Sunday, July 6th
RAHEEM DEVAUGHN
CHRISETTE MICHELE
NICOLAS PAYTON
PRESERVATION JAZZ HALL BAND'S GOSPEL REVIVAL
IRMA THOMAS
GIL SCOTT-HERON

I knew the lineup was going to suck when they were promoting Morris Day and the Time as a headliner. They have never been promoted as headliners (and they have played the festival in the past). Maybe it is the original Time with Jimmy, Terry, Jesse, Monte and Morris.
[Edited 6/11/08 9:30am]
[Edited 6/11/08 9:30am]

There's nobody worth seeing. I've seen Morris Day and The Time numerous times already. I like Frankie Beverly and Maze but I wouldn't drive to another city to see them. As for the rest of the acts, hell naw, they're too damn slow.

vainandy said:

Have u ever seen Maze live?

I've seen them about 10 times and it is worth every penny. I'm just over them because they haven't released anything new in over 10 years and I'm tired of the same show.

You should check out some of their Live dvds.



The Live in London has music from their last few albums from WB. The other 2 are live DVDs that accompany the Live in New Orleans (which is the best) and Live in LA.

I've never seen them live but I've heard them live. I remember hearing some of the tracks from their "Live From New Orleans" album on the radio back when it was first released. It was pretty good. A borrowed the album from a friend of mine and recorded some of the tracks onto CD. I only got to record a few though because it was a two record set and he had lost the other record.

is this like a Hair Show or something?

cheeseburger said:

Wow.....I would NOT go 2 see ANY of these acts 4 free.

sosgemini said:

www.essencemusicfestival.com

It has been going on for a while now (about 15 years or so). It takes place in New Orleans and is nothing but ONE big concert/party. The main concerts are held at the Superdome and the other shows are at smaller clubs/venues close by. I know several people that have attended in the past and LOVE it.

The Seminar schedule looks better than the show lineup.

http://www.essence.com/es...inars.html

The ESSENCE Music Festival hosts three full days of dynamic speakers at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. No tickets needed. Just come and enjoy! Here are highlights of the many choices.

Friday, July 4
TYLER PERRY AND FRIENDS

Opening Remarks
Angela Burt-Murray

HOST
Jonathan Slocumb

ESSENCE Music Festival® Welcome
Michelle Ebanks

City Of New Orleans Welcome
Mayor C. Ray Nagin

A City of New Orleans Special Presentation to Tyler Perry
Mayor Nagin Presents Key to the City to Tyler Perry

Conversation with Tyler Perry - Audience Q & A
Moderated by: Tanika Ray

Announce "House of Payne" Contest

World Premiere
"The Family That Preys" Trailer

Leading Ladies Talk About The Representation of Black Women In The Media
Keisha Knight Pulliam, Lynn Whitfield, Cassi Davis, Tasha Smith
Moderated by: Tanika Ray

Honoring Local Heroes
Introduction
Patrik Bass

Relationships
Michelle McKinney Hammond, Big Boom
Moderated by Donna Richardson Joyner

Episode Premiere - House of Payne

Conversation with "House of Payne"
Lance Gross, Cassi Davis, Lavan Davis, Rueben Cannon, Larramie Doc Shaw
Moderated by: Cori Murray

TBS "House of Payne" Contest Winners

Saturday, July 5
RECLAIMING THE DREAM

Opening Remarks
Reverend Al Sharpton

HOST
Roland Martin

Louisiana State Welcome
Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu

Education: Addressing Failing Schools and the Achievement Gap
Keynote Address
Dr. Bill Cosby and Dr. Poussaint
Moderated By: Wendy Wilson

Conversation with the Family of Sean Bell and Reverand Al Sharpton
Nicole Paultre Bell, William and Valerie Bell and Reverend Al Sharpton
Moderated by: Roland Martin

Taking Back Our Community & Classrooms
Introduction
Patrik Bass

Keynote Address
Tom Joyner

Finding Solutions
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Jabali Sawicki, The Excellence Charter School,
Dr. Robert M. Franklin, President of Morehouse College
Moderated by: Soledad O'Brien

AIDS: The War on Women
"Sometimes I Cry"
Sheryl Lee Ralph

State of the Black Family Finding Solutions
Ed Gordon, AA Father/Daughter Initiative/Journalist
Rose Rock, Celebrity Foster Mother/Author, Cheryle Jackson, President, Chicago Urban League, Hill Harper
Moderated by: Dawn M. Baserville

Keynote Address
"The Power of Us"
Bishop TD Jakes

Election 2008: "My Message to Black America"
Why Your Vote Counts

Sunday, July 6
AN AFTERNOON OF PRAISE, WORSHIP & INSPIRATION

HOST
Mikki Taylor

Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Opening Affirmation
Reverend Al Sharpton

Tye Tribbett and Greater Anointing

Greater St. Stephens Full Gospel Baptist Church Choir / Greater St. Stephens Karar Liturgical Dancers

Words of Inspiration
Co-Pastor Debra Morton - Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church

Musical Performance
Regina Belle

Worship and Praise
Bishop Paul S. Morton - Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church

"The Testimony You Have Been Waiting To Hear"
Introduction
Patrik Bass

Dr. Juanita Bynum

Musical Celebration
Tye Tribbett and Greater Anointing

Closing Remarks
Angela Burt-Murray

There are ONLY 3 acts worth my time on the whole list.

sosgemini said:

Why would you think it's a hair show?

I am not going going to essence festival, I have other matters and issues going on in New Orleans that must be dealt with!!

daPrettyman said:

I'm sorry but I don't get the whole fascination with Maze. I mean, they aiight but the way folks carry on about them at Essence, the fact that they close the festival EVERY year and folks get so excited to do the Electric Slide for 3 hours is TOTALLY beyond me.

sosgemini said:

It is a music festival that has been going on for over 15 years

sosgemini said:

So sosgemini how did u become a moderator on here and do not know what the essence fest IS. I mean, didn't Prince perform there in 2004 with New Edition that year!!

SCNDLS said:

I thought I was the ONLY one.

wtf?

Actually, I thought the same thing the first time I heard the name "Essence Festival". I immediately thought it was either a hair or makeup festival until I heard the commercial advertising the acts performing. Essence just sponsors it, like Budweiser has a lot of festivals but they aren't beer drinking contests.

cheeseburger said:

I was there that year, Prince did a FOUR hour show with Sheila, The Time, Chaka, Wendy, EVEN Eddie M. That notwithstanding, this is probably one of the largest music festivals in the country featuring black artists. It averages 200-250,000 attendants and generates about $150 million a year over a 3-day period. So, no, it's not a hair show.
[Edited 6/11/08 14:10pm]

SCNDLS said:

Maze is better than "aiight". They are da'bomb. I love their work (especiall their first 4 albums and their last one). Maze is truly a southern..black group that just happens to be from Cali.

BTW, they don't electric slide for 3 hours.
Maybe an hour.

vainandy said:

No, Essence doesn't "sponsor" this show...this is THEIR show. This is a money maker for the magazine/Essence franchise.

You know its big when the entire city shuts down for it. They say New Orleans is the safest city when the Essence festival is going on.

SCNDLS said:

I think Essence is the largest festival.

There are others (Soul Music Festival that takes place in Jamica every Summer, Tom Joyner Black Family REunion, etc.), but I do believe that Essence is the largest.