Essence Fest Acknowledges Late Start After Lauryn Hill’s Early Morning Set
Essence Festival Concert Delays
The Essence Festival team has acknowledged their role in the scheduling mishaps that impacted the concert, leading to Lauryn Hill taking the stage at an unusually late hour—approximately 2:30 AM.
Opening Day Challenges
This year’s festival marked its 31st anniversary at the Superdome in New Orleans, featuring a packed lineup on its opening night. According to reports, Friday, July 4, was set to showcase eight different acts, with Hill joining just two days prior to the event. Unfortunately, the concert experienced significant delays that worsened throughout the evening.
GloRilla, who was the fourth performer, concluded her set a staggering 45 minutes past the original time allocated for the Isley Brothers, while Maxwell started his performance nearly an hour and a half late, at 12:55 AM.
Lauryn Hill’s Memorable Performance
When Hill finally took the stage at 2:31 AM, the atmosphere was quite different from what was anticipated, with many seats empty. However, the Fugees star adapted well to the circumstances, engaging with the dedicated fans in attendance and taking unique song requests, such as “I Gotta Find Peace of Mind” and “Tell Him.” Her set officially concluded at 3:37 AM.
Despite her history of arriving late to concerts, the Essence Festival organizers clarified that the delays on this occasion were not her doing. “She arrived on schedule, stepped on that stage, and delivered the kind of performance only a legend can,” the festival expressed on social media.
A Message from the Organizers
The festival team continued to defend Hill, stating, "The delay? Not hers. We will take that. The moment? One for the books. The legacy? Still unmatched." They emphasized the respect and admiration they hold for the artist, encouraging fans to appreciate her work without attributing the delays to her.
Smooth Sailing for Subsequent Nights
According to various reports, the remaining nights of the Essence Festival ran much more smoothly. For instance, Saturday’s show featured performances from notable artists like Davido, Buju Banton, Erykah Badu, and Jill Scott, with Jill Scott closing the night at a more reasonable hour of 1:30 AM.
What were your thoughts on Lauryn Hill’s performance amidst the delays?
