February 19, 2015 - As the 2015 Essence Fest draws closer, the first round performance lineup has been revealed. The annual festival, which is now in its 21st year and has become one of the most successful of live consumer events with more than 550,000 attendees, will take place on New Orleans, LA. 

Artists confirmed to perform at the 2015 ESSENCEFestival nighttime concerts at the Superdome include: 

• Kendrick Lamar, Mary J Blige, India.Arie, Trombone Shorty, Floetry, Common, Erykah Badu, Kool Moe Dee, Doug E. Fresh, Mystikal, Slick Rick, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Nico & Vinz, Lianne La Havas, Elle Varner, Esperanza Spalding, SZA, Dee-1, Tonya Bond Cannon, Leon Bridges, Andra Day, Kelly Price, Raheem DeVaughn, Mali Music, Eric Roberson, Teedra Moses, Avery*Sunshine, Kindred The Family Soul, Goapele, Robert Glasper, Tweet, Jeff Bradshaw, Bilal, Tank & The Bangas and more to be announced soon. 
• Plus Kevin Hart to headline Essence 'Now Playing' Concert, Thursday, July 2. Tickets go on-sale Wednesday, February 25. 
• Comedians Nephew Tommy from The Steve Harvey Morning Show and Luenell to host Festival weekend.    

For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE FESTIVAL, visit ESSENCE Festival www.essencefestival.com, join the Festival community: follow us on Twitter@essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2015 ESSENCE Festival on Facebook.