December 1, 2006 15:56

Beyoncé confirmed for New Orleans festival

Essence Music Festival returns to The Big Easy

Photo Gallery: Beyonce
Photo: Pa Photos

Beyoncé has been confirmed as the main draw at the 2007 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans on July 6.

The event is due to take place at the rebuilt Louisiana Superdome, which housed thousands of victims in the wake of Hurricane Katrina last year.

”I have performed at the Essence Festival with Destiny's Child and remember it as one of our best concerts,” said Beyoncé in a statement “I am so honoured to perform at the Essence Festival as a solo act upon its return to New Orleans, post-Katrina, Essence has been a true believer in the rich heritage of this amazing city and its wonderful people. My family's roots are deep in this area so this will be a wonderful reunion for us.”

Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys and Lauryn Hill have all headlined the festival, which last year took place in Houston, Texas.

--By our New York staff.
[url="/history"]Find out more about NME.[/url]