Trombone Shorty jams with Prince at Essence Fest in 2014, photo by OffBeat staff.

Essence Festival Adds Prince Tribute to Main Stage

Prince’s death on April 21 sent shockwaves through the music world. The 57-year-old performer was one of the most prolific and influential musicians of his generation, and his untimely passing inspired countless tributes from celebrities and fans.

Another one of those tributes will take place on the city’s biggest stage this weekend, when Essence Festival honors Prince with a special tribute show at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, July 3.

NOLA.com reports that the set will go down on festival’s main stage at 7pm, just 45 minutes before Andra Day kicks off the day’s previously announced lineup. The show will feature Prince’s longtime backing band, The New Power Generation, along with New Orleans performers like Luke James, the Stooges Brass Band and students from the Roots of Music, among others.

Prince performed at the Essence Festival twice during his career, with one appearance in 2004 and another in 2014. In addition to holding down his headlining set (which included a sit in from Trombone Shorty) in 2014, Prince also joined Nile Rodgers on stage for a David Bowie cover.

Essence Festival will kick off this Friday, July 1 before wrapping up on Sunday, July 3. Headliners include Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Puff Daddy & The Family, Ciara, Common, Maxwell and more.