+5 Opinion Will Sutton: An improved Essence Festival deserves financial investment BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist Updated Jul 10, 2026 The early reports about the Essence Festival of Culture are in, and the multiple-event was far better than the 2025 fest.
+4 Opinion Will Sutton: New Orleans’ French Quarter problems were too much for Essence Festival ‘essies’ BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist Updated Jul 9, 2026 The unexpected Saturday night French Quarter explosion disrupted the fun of some fest-goers at Essence Fest, columnist Will Sutton argues.
+7 Opinion Will Sutton: Has Essence Fest lost its swag? Fans deserve better BY WILL SUTTON | Staff columnist Jul 6, 2025 The Essence Festival of Culture was birthed by New Orleans, in New Orleans, and through New Orleans it reached the nation and the world.
NO.essencefriday.070625_3648.JPG Chris GrangerUpdated Jul 5, 2025 Ronald Isley performs with The Isley Brothers at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, July 4, 20…
NO.essencefriday.070625_4530.JPG Chris GrangerUpdated Jul 5, 2025 Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, bottom left, and his band perform at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Fr…
NO.essencefriday.070625_4140.JPG Chris GrangerUpdated Jul 5, 2025 The Isley Brothers on stage at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Chri…
NO.essencefriday.070625_5200.JPG Chris GrangerUpdated Jul 5, 2025 Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, center, and his band perform at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Friday,…
NO.essencefriday.070625_3388.JPG Chris GrangerUpdated Jul 5, 2025 Ernie Isley uses his mouth to play the guitar with The Isley Brothers at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture at the Caesars Superdome in New Orlea…
Opinion NO.essencefriday.070625_4669.JPG Chris GrangerUpdated Jul 9, 2025 Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, left, and his band perform at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, J…
Opinion NO.essencefriday.070625_4480.JPG Chris GrangerUpdated Jun 16, 2026 Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds sings at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by…