Most people read a magazine because of a shared cultural interest. If your magazine is responsible for fashion, chances are good that your readers will be dressed well in person. If your magazine is about a lifestyle, your readers are likely to find enjoyment in each other's company. If your magazine is about entertainment, your readers are probably going to be up on the latest music, movies, and events that are happening right now. So what's the deal if your magazine is about all 3 of these things? What if your magazine is about all 3 of these things plus geared to women ages 18 through 49 and it is responsible for putting together one of the biggest, non-touring, music festival events currently held in the US annually?
Not only would it sound like you and your readers are headed off to one hell of a party, but it would also sound like that party is going to be filled with entertaining people that are all up on the latest fashions and styles. That party would be filled with people who listen to music that is presently topping the charts, definitely playing your style of music. You could also expect to find people showing off some classiness by being down with those back in the day sounds. If you got all that going on, then you must be the Essence Music Festival, known amongst its attendees as the Essence Fest or "The Party with a Purpose." With tag like that, you know you are looking at a high-spirited, good time.
Essence Fest has been held in New Orleans, Louisiana every year since its inception back in 1995 when the Essence magazine was celebrating its 25th Anniversary. That is, every year except 2006, in which the festival had to relocate because of the Katrina Hurricane tragedy. The following year of 2007, Essence dubbed its return to the original party spot as its "Coming Home" party. With a steady following of about 200,000 in attendance each year, it is easy to see why Time Warner calls this festival the largest event celebrating African-American culture and music annually in the United States.
This festival is really a gala of events that has people traveling from all over the world to attend. Not only are you listening to fantastic music, but the event also plays host to all the amenities of New Orleans culture. Talk about enjoying southern food, music, and traditions along with your festival. The thought of the food alone is making us long for Independence Day weekend, which is when Essence Fest will take place this year.
In past year's festival, Essence Fest has set the stage with enormously talented artists such as Destiny's Child, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, LL Cool J, and the list goes on. 12 years of amazing musicians have played previous Essence Festivals.
This year, the headlines are phenomenal, but you should expect nothing less than the best lineup from Essence. After all, there is a reputation to stack up and a bar to raise, so much so that other festivals will only know what a good time really was after they have read the reviews of the 2008 Essence Music Festival.
Now, while a younger Essence crowd will be all about the artists such as Chris Brown whose single "With you" is sweeping the charts, Kanye West who keeps making hits such as "Stronger" and "Welcome to the Good Life," Mary J. Blige and her lead single "Just Fine," as well as other talents such as Chris Rock, and Jill Scott, some attendees may be more interested in hearing the works of such classic artists like Morris Day and the Time who hold classic hits such as "Jungle Love," and "Jerk Out." Also appearing on this year's billing is Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. Maze has had hits in R&B from the late 70s up until the late 90s. This festival truly has something for everyone.
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