2009 ESSENCE Music Festival

THE CONCERT WAS OFF THE CHAIN. MY HUSBAND AND I ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH AND WE SEND PARISES TO MAYOR RAY NAGIN AND HIS CITY FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB ON SAFETY AND TRAFFIC. WE HAD HEARD IT WAS A HIGH CRIME AREA BUT THE CITY PROVED EVERYONE WRONG , WE FELT VERY SAFE AS WE MOVED AROUND AND ENJOYED OURSELVES VERY MUCH AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO ATTENDING NEXT YEAR AND WE HOPE TO SEE FANTASIA AND RUEBAN STODDARD IN THE LIINE UP NEXT YEAR ALONG WITH MICHAEL BASIDEN AND GEORGE WILLBURN. THANKS AGAIN FOR A WONDERFUL EVENT.

Posted at 11:04AM on July 7th 2009 by FAYE SMITH

This was our first Festival and because we couldn't get our hands on any kind of schedule, we missed almost all of the lounge acts we wanted to see, and missed John Legend because we were running around to all the lounges only to find our performers were done or not on yet. Even the Superdome staff didn't have any schedules. Nothing helpful on Essence's website either. The performers were great, all of them gave 100% but we couldn't hang around for Maxwell. He owes his fans an apology. And Essence, you can post the times on your website. You got plenty of room for ads. And leave Ronald McDonald off the stage next year.

Posted at 11:35PM on July 6th 2009 by Paulette

The Essence Festival and the seminars changed when Viacom, a white company bought out Essence. It also changed when Susan Taylor left.. Susan was more spiritually intuned and a conscious woman. After she left, a lot of actors with no substance began to lead the seminars. The soul of Essence has been lost. What happened to the days when Na'im Akbar, Jawanza Kunjufu, Iyanla Vanzant and Dr. Gwendolyn Goldsby Grant would speak. I don't think so. They were wise, not a bunch of television personalities who perpetrate like know what's going on, but really don't In today's world, we don't need more than cute faces, short magazine articles that briefly mention the real issues, and interviews with celebrities who are just out to make money on television or through their platform in the church. To rise up as a people and to make the world a better place for ourselves, our children, and families, and our communities is our destiny and Essence should reflect that!

Posted at 9:04PM on July 6th 2009 by Mechelle

This year's festival was not put together well. What happened to alot of the vendors...very few this year. Schedules?? There were no announcers for the artist on Saturday. No explanation or apology for Maxwell's tardiness. New Orleans is just filty...should consider Atlanta.

Posted at 8:10PM on July 6th 2009 by DISAPPOINTED

Essence Music Festival staff have to make sure events are beginning in a timely matter. I was very disappointed that I could not watch Maxwell's entire performance because of the hour.

Posted at 7:15PM on July 6th 2009 by Darrlyn

Just like the Essence Festivals I've been to before, the concerts were Great! Anita Baker was my absolute favorite, Beyonce awesome, just like John Legend, Lionel Ritchie (w/some Commodores!), Neyo; and Tina Marie was the surprise in the cereal for me. Wasn't impressed by Maxwell's 1 hr. delay and left after a few songs. I had 2 friends with me - 1 had been to the Houston festival with me, and the other was a 1st timer. Both had never been to New Orleans before. Aside from the rude & dangerous "herding" of Superdome security & police of concert goers thru single door openings & onto escalators, and Superdome staff unable to give directions around the dome, everyone had a great time and will be back again. It would have been nice to see the younger people who attended both the convention floor & concert come to the seminars, especially Saturday's.

Posted at 6:31PM on July 6th 2009 by Ariane

This was my first time at the Essence Music Festival and while I did enjoy myself overall in New Orleans...I was disappointed by some events. Maxwell was my biggest dissapointment. I paid just to see him and he didn't come on until 1:30 AM, a good 1.5 hours after Anita Baker went off stage. No one even bothered to tell the audience that there was a delay or that they were running behind schedule. I thought that was rude considering that a lot of people wanted to see him perform and he didn't even have the decency to apologize for his tardiness. Essence needs to let people know exactly when the show is supposed to start. Our tickets stated 7:30 but Jasmine Sullivan was performing when we walked in at 7:00. I also wanted to see certain seminars but couldn't find out the agenda until I purchased a $20.00 program. I will be visiting New Orleans next year but I don't know if I will attend the concerts again :-(

Posted at 5:36PM on July 6th 2009 by Nyisha

The Essance music festival was great. Oh yeah, Keri Hilson put it down in the super lounge. I just have to go again next year. I just cannot wait. Thanks for the show you guys put on.

Posted at 1:45PM on July 6th 2009 by Ledarrius Sigler

I went to the Essence Music Festival for the first time this. My friends and I truly enjoyed ourselves. We had no problem finding the printed schedule of events as listed by others who commented. We clearly knew what was happending day to day. My only complaint is that the seminars were in the afternoon and sometimes late in the afternoon. If you were going to the concerts then you had to leave early to have time to get ready. I think Essence did a great job and I would like to go again. The Maxwell deal was crazy! He didn't arrive on stage until after 1 a.m. and there was no explanation as to why he was late! Unfortunately we left during his performance.

Posted at 12:52PM on July 6th 2009 by Roshae

I ave never been to the fest before, this was my first time. I was a little upset that I paid 5.00 for a schedule of events and it really didn't give good info. I was also upset that there was so much going on at one time and we just didn't know about but overall it was a great expierience and I would return.

Posted at 10:09AM on July 6th 2009 by Shay