The year since Grace VanderWaal won the 11th season of NBCs "America's Got Talent" has been, in the young performer’s own words, "a whirlwind."

She's sung at the opening of the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria, performed in Japan, and won both a Radio Disney Music Award for Best New Artist and a Teen Choice Award for Best New Thing.

Just last month, she was also selected for Billboard's prestigious 21 Under 21 list of "powerful young voices" who will define music's next generation, alongside names like Lorde, Camila Cabello, and Zara Larsson.  Just a few days ago, she premiered her newset single, "Escape My Mind."

VanderWaal took a few quick minutes to sit down with the Recording Academy after a stellar set before one of the largest live crowds she’s ever faced. She opened up about the transition into playing large music festivals and shows around the world, what it was like getting on stage before millions of viewers for “America’s Got Talent,” and what the most exciting moment of the past year has been.

You had a huge crowd for your set today — even people outside the stage area walking by were singing along when you played “I Don’t Know My Name” What has it been like to stand on huge festival stages and hear thousands of people singing along to these songs that you’ve written?
This was the biggest crowd that I’ve ever sung in front of, other than “AGT” or Jingle Ball. I’m always an opener or just somewhere in the show. This was my first time where it was just me, and people were coming to see me. There were a lot of people!

I’m sure the past year has been an absolutely crazy experience for you. What would you say has been your single favorite moment you’ve had since winning “America’s Got Talent”?
It’s been a whirlwind! I think either today, or finishing up the album.

<iframe width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/swTki-Klk3g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Have you kept in touch with any of the other contestants from AGT?
No, I haven’t really kept in touch. You know when you’re moving away, and you’re hugging all these people, and you’re all like, “We’ll call each other every single day!”, but you always lose touch? It’s been like that, sadly.

What’s been the most unexpected aspect of tour life for you, now that you’ve started playing shows and music festivals?
I always get surprised by the people. People are always more enthusiastic than I expect. That’s always very positive.

Have you gotten to meet any of your musical heroes? If not, who’s at the top of your list that you hope to meet in the next year?
Yes! I got to meet one of my biggest idols ever. I literally have said this in every interview whenever I’ve been asked “who’s your musical idol?” or “who would you want to meet?” or “who would you want to sing with?” Jason Mraz. I have been a fan of him almost my entire life. I’ve grown up with his music, and he inspires me so, so much. And I got to sing with him before the Special Olympics. That was also a good moment since AGT — it turns into a blur sometimes, you know?

Was it more nerve-wracking stepping onto the AGT stage knowing millions of people around the country were watching, or stepping onto a festival stage, where the massive crowd is right there and you can look them in the eyes?
Honestly, it was definitely more nerve wracking going on AGT. It’s hard to think of it that way, but it’s a competition. I was doing it for the experience, but it’s so nerve wracking knowing that people are literally there to judge you. People are there to decide whether you are good or bad. Here, people are just there to dance and have fun.

Obviously one of the great parts about big festivals is getting to see some of your favorite acts while you’re on site before/after your own set. Who are you most excited to see at ACL this year?
I am going home to take a nap. (laughs) But I’m coming back later today, and I’m going to watch Chance [The Rapper]. My sister is a huge fan of him, and both of us really, really love his new album. It’s so gospel, and it really speaks to you when you listen to it. So we’re really excited to see him in person and dance to it.

Get More Coverage And Artist Interviews From Austin City Limits 2017

When it comes to American dance music culture, few events carry the cool cache of a HARD party. Founded on New Year's Eve of 2008 by DJ and former label A&R Gary Richards, the name HARD has become synonymous with taste-making, offering fans an enviable mix of influential headliners and cutting-edge up-and-comers.

HARD parties have been a breakout platform for luminaries like Justice, Skrillex, deadmau5, and more, and the HARD Summer festival is one of the brand's most celebrated flagship events. In 2017, HARD was absorbed into the Insomniac festival family — the same company that brings fan-favorites EDC Las Vegas and Electric Forest to life — which ensures the stage production, on-site activities and other ancillary fun are sure to be supersized. How many festivals do you know that offer a Ferris wheel and a swimming pool?

Coming to Los Angeles' Hollywood Park near SoFi Stadium on Aug. 3 and 4, this year's lineup continues the tradition of blending authoritative artists, legacy DJs and unique back-to-back headliners with buzzy newcomers in a variety of genres and styles. 

Whether you wanna rave out with club king Jamie xx, bang your head to bass with Zeds Dead, get tropical with Major Lazer, see what it sounds like for UK grime star Skepta to DJ, or just sing along to mid-2000s belters courtesy of dance-pop crossover queen Nelly Furtado, there's something to please every palette. Of course, in true HARD tradition, we seriously recommend exploring the undercard, because the biggest name in electronic music tomorrow is probably playing one of the HARD side stages today.

While you wrap your head around the stacked lineup, check out a quick guide to 10 must-see acts below.

A legend on the decks who can play blissful disco or teeth-shattering techno with a smile, Boys Noize is a must-see on any lineup simply because he loves doing the job. He recently teamed with Skrillex on the anthem "Fine Day," and released an entire EP with alt-rap icon Rico Nasty. He's also the producer behind Lady Gaga's beloved Ariana Grande collab, "Rain On Me," and Playboi Carti's "Unlock It," but he's likely to unleash a massive set of hard techno bangers for the L.A. crowd — though you never can tell which direction he'll take you in next, so come with an open mind.

As the top-billed headliner for Saturday night, Disclosure should need little to no introduction to any modern dance music fan — but that doesn't mean you should sleep on their set.

Howard and Guy Lawrence emerged on the scene as seemingly an instant success. The brothers' debut album, Settle, almost single-handedly changed the landscape of popular dance in 2012, moving the taste du jour away from the big-room EDM and bass-heavy trap sound toward a UK garage revival that still carries, and helped launch Sam Smith's career in the process.

In the 12 years that followed, Disclosure has continued to push the envelope — and themselves — working with cross-genre heavyweights including Lorde, Khalid, Miguel, Kelis, Slowthai, and The Weeknd, as well as incorporating international sounds and styles into their club-driven house grooves. Earlier this year, Disclosure returned with the dance floor-ready single "She's Gone, Dance On," announcing themselves as arbiters of disco-laced funk and good-time DJs for 2024 crowds. Surely they'll be in top form come HARD Summer.

If you like your dark techno to come with a side of hip-shaking Latin rhythms, Miami-bred duo INVT is the experimental sound machine you can't possibly pass up. Luca Medici and Delbert Perez have been best friends since they were kids, and that closeness comes through in their tight experimental sets, blending booming bass with glitched-out techno synths, cumbia rhythms, dembow beats, and acidic edge.

INVT are — as the name may imply — extremely innovative, leaning into their own productions and edits to curate an approach that feels hypnotic, exciting and unique. If you're not afraid of beats that go really hard and get a little weird, this is a set that can set your wild mind ablaze.

What happens when you put two of the most unique and hard-hitting producers in electronic music together on one stage? Deadmau5 is one of the scene's leading icons, and Rezz (who released her debut album of deadmau5's Mau5trap label in 2017) shifted bass music culture with her gritty, techno-fueled, half-time sound. The two share a love of dark, stomping, left-field noise, and after years of teasing possible collaborations, those shared interests merged on the 2021 collaboration "Hypnocurrency." Two years later, they released the booming, dystopian 2023 single "Infraliminal" — not just a brilliant rework of deadmau5's 2012 track "Superliminal," but the official introduction to Rezzmau5.

Rezzmau5 haven't released anything since, and live performances from the duo have remained few and far between. But the monolithic duo just warmed up their trippy joint live show at Tomorrowland 2024, which was set in "the mythical realm of Silvyra," a world "filled with creatures, plant life, and people living in harmony." Whether or not their HARD set follows the same storyline, it's certain to shake the skulls of every dancer at Hollywood Park. Prepare your body for something deep, dark and maniacal.

There aren't many electronic acts that bring the same level of frontman energy that Elderbrook boasts on stage. A multi-talented performer, the UK artist sings and plays instruments, creating a rock-show experience unlike most sets at heavily electronic festivals like HARD. He leads the crowd in heartfelt sing-alongs to hits including "Numb," "Something About You," "Inner Light" and, of course, his megahit CamelPhat collab "Cola."

Bouncing between his microphone, synthesizers and keyboards, samplers and drum pads, his one-man band performance is sure to draw a serious crowd. If you're ready for a break from the hard-edged rave noise and want to ascend to heavenly heights, Elderbrook is the man for the job.

Nothing is more fun than watching two best mates go absolutely nuts on the decks. And when two stellar DJs go back-to-back, everyone wins, because they spend the whole set trying to impress each other. 

Chris Lake is one of the most influential producers in tech house. Fisher is one of the most unhinged and energizing DJs one can ever witness. Together, the besties deliver an over-the-top party with an arsenal of mind-numbing drops, weirdo grooves and just-plain fun vibes that make you wanna hug your friends and dance 'til you sweat. The set is called Under Construction, but make no mistake: these two have completely mastered the blueprint.

If you like your sets to be playful cross-genre explorations of sounds from around the world — tied together by booty-shaking beats and booming bass lines — JYOTY is sure to check all your boxes. She knows how to lead a great party because she spent her childhood frequenting the unmatched clubs of Amsterdam. And with an ethos built around playing whatever the heck she wants, she's comfortable dropping a bit of hip-hop into some Brazilian bops, mixing it up with hard breakbeats, blistering rave synths and more.

If you don't know your history, you're doomed to repeat it, but no one brings the house down quite like Kerri Chandler. A pioneer of the original deep and garage house movements, Chandler was a foundational DJ of the '80s scene, holding down a residency at the legendary Club Zanzibar in New Jersey and founding the MadHouse Records label. If you want to feel the soulful spirit that made electronic music what it is, Chandler's dreamy mix of feel-good melodies served over kickin' club beats are a direct line to house music's roots.

You know how Mary Poppins had a magical bag that held everything from a hat rack to an ornate mirror, a house plant and a Tiffany lamp? Well, California DJ Mary Droppinz comes equipped with a magical USB that's positively bursting with mean beats and original edts.

This woman can blend everything from grimy bouncing bass to ethereal orchestral house, Spice Girls reworks, drum'n'bass bangers, reggae upbeats, '90s R&B remixes and chart-topping hits of the moment twisted into face-melting heaters. You can try to guess where she'll go next, but it's better to just let her take control and follow the vibe through all the devious twists and turns. The one thing you can count on? You'll leave her set dripping with sweat.

Disclosure aren't the only brilliant UK brothers on the HARD Summer lineup. Overmono's Tom and Ed Russell hail from Wales and make some of the most inspired club records of our time.

With backgrounds exploring hard techno, drum'n'bass and rave, the brothers combined their talents in 2015 and have since created an enviable blend of soulful atmospheres and frenetic breakbeats that feels nostalgic and sentimental, but still very heavy. Overmono's 2023 album Good Lies is a great play from start to finish, and a good way to get prepped for their critically acclaimed live set. If you need a big-name co-sign, Overmono was recently featured on Fred again..'s "Stayinit" with Lil Yachty on the vocal. That's the caliber they're rockin' with — and the prestige they'll bring to HARD Summer.

Held from July 26-29 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena, KCON 2024 showcased an array of performances from K-pop stars, with notable acts including NCT 127, ENHYPEN, Taemin, ZEROBASEONE, and g.o.d. The event marked its largest success yet, attracting fans worldwide both in-person and through digital platforms.

KCON, the biggest K-pop show in the world, has come a long way since its inception in 2012 at Irvine's Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre with around 10,000 attendees. Over a decade later, the music festival and convention event has expanded globally, but Los Angeles remains special as its origin. This year, KCON proclaimed its biggest success yet, stating, "Over 5.9 million fans from more than 170 countries enjoyed KCON L.A. 2024 both at the festival site and through digital platforms." It was also broadcasted for the first time on the CW network in the U.S., and by its usual broadcaster Mnet in Korea and around the world.

This year's KCON featured a varied lineup for performers. The finale headliners were NCT 127, who last attended KCON L.A. in 2017 in their early days. They were joined by ENHYPEN and Taemin as nightly headliners. Rookie groups like ZEROBASEONE and Boynextdoor proved to be crowd favorites, while Y2K icons like g.o.d surprised the whole audience with 2000s hits. Despite fewer female performers, dynamic sets from NMIXX, Somi, and StayC made a significant impact.   

It was generally a big year for rookie acts, with a variety of Korean, Japanese, and Filipino newer boy bands and girl groups making appearances throughout the weekend. As more senior artists hold solo tours, with many touring simultaneously to KCON, there was ample time to meet newcomers. 

Even L.A.-based Katseye, Hybe X Geffen Records' new girl group that features members from around the world, had a moment as the openers for the final night, performing live in front of fans for the very first time. 

Read on for memorable highlights, performances, and other insights from the annual event.

g.o.d Ascend To New Heights

Although the styles of the '90s and early aughts are trending, it was perhaps a bit of a surprise — to the crowd and artists alike — that one of Korea's early boy band greats could get the whole stadium up out of their seats, clapping, and swaying along to the R&B stylings of g.o.d. 

Formed in 1999, the quartet took the stage in suits and began their set with the ballad "Road" followed by "Lie." While many fans came out specifically to see them, bearing banners and light blue balloon-shaped light sticks in support, it was the group's comfortable affability that made them one of KCON's most talked-about acts. 

By having fun and being earnestly engaging, they won over a crowd largely made up of people unfamiliar with their discography. When they performed "Sky Blue Balloon," a song dedicated to their fans, everyone clapped and sang along. As they turned on their phone flashlights ("Give us 1% of your phone battery!" quipped Cali-native Joon Park), the audience basked in the poignant closer "One Candle," a song well-known in South Korea as a democratic anthem, creating a warm, memorable glow.  

ZEROBASEONE Lead Rookie Power

When they performed at the 2023 event, ZEROBASEONE, or ZB1, were charming newcomers who had just come together during K-pop competition show, "Boys Planet." While ZB1 are not technically rookies anymore, they're still relatively new kids on the block compared to many senior acts. Despite their relative youth, at KCON LA 2024, they were one of the biggest draws for fans in attendance. Throughout the weekend, it was near impossible to move a foot or two without spotting one or two (or 10!) dedicated "Zeroses" cheering them on with a light stick that looks surprisingly similar to a rose-shaped engagement ring. 

For fans lucky enough to attend multiple nights of KCON LA 2024, ZB1 performed both on Friday, July 26, and Sunday, July 28, showcasing fan favorites like "Sweat," "Crush," and "In Bloom." They also shared a teaser for their new EP, Cinema Paradise, which will drop in August. 

Along with ZB1, it was a big weekend for some other newer boy bands: Boynextdoor’s catchy, witty performances were some of the most-talked about, while TWS’s earworm hits had the whole arena singing along. 

ENHYPEN Fulfill Dreams And Enhance Fantasies

Coming to KCON right after touring in the U.S. earlier this year could have meant repeat performances for ENHYPEN's "Engenes" to witness, but instead, the vampiric septet charmed with new energy just days after releasing their latest EP, Romance: Untold, on July 12. 

Surprising the crowd with the English version of that album's single "XO (Only If You Say Yes)", ENHYPEN ran through some of their biggest hits, seducing listeners with "Bite Me" and charming them with the picture-perfect "Polaroid Love." 

They also, along with Zico and Taemin, hosted one of KCON's unique "Dream Stages," coming together with fan dancers to perform the English version of last year's smooth "Sweet Venom." 

Read more: Meet ENHYPEN, K-Pop's Latest Breakout Boy Group

A Welcome Return For NCT 127

Seven years since their last KCON LA performance, NCT 127 appeared triumphant as both openers and closers on the third night of the show. They kicked the night off (literally) with their 2020 hit "Kick It," and returned at the end of the night to perform their new song "Walk," before renditions of hits "Lemonade," "2 Baddies," and "Fact Check."

It was a moment of glory for the team, who had spent much of their biggest musical eras without touring during the pandemic. Now that concerts are back, they've been touring heavily. When their planned world tour, "Neo City – The Unity," became an Asia-only tour, it felt like there would be no moment for Stateside fans in 2024. When they were announced as late-addition special headliners, NCTzens rapidly bought up tickets. 

With the 127 members and their U.S. fans (plus many from overseas) reunited, the atmosphere was one of euphoria and exuberance as the members boisterously dominated the stage, making jokes and playfully engaging in a way that felt comfortable and assured in their performing prowess. It may not have been a full NCT 127 concert in LA, but it's clear that the stars and many fans are waiting for that. 

Jeon Somi, Hyolyn & BIBI Shine

While groups are the bread and butter of K-pop, soloists have their own flair, and this year the fiery spotlight fell on the women. During the final night, the powerful dynamism of BIBI, Jeon Somi, and Hyolyn took over. Although BIBI's real set was the first night, she performed a expletive-free version of her hit revenge track "Bibi's Vengeance" before embracing Hyolyn. 

Hyolyn, a soloist and member of girl group Sistar, forwent her own songs for the concert event and instead put her own sultry spin on LOONA's "So What" with a team of fierce dancers. 

Jeon Somi rounded out things with her truly addicting dance tracks "Fast Forward" and "DUMB DUMB," along with the emotive "The Way." She then revealed the name of her new upcoming song, "Ice Cream" and charmed the crowd by teaching them a call-and-response chant: "Come get your ice cream," shouted one side of the arena. "Too hot!" returned the other before Somi realized with a laugh that the lyric actually was "Too cold!" 

Read more: 10 K-Pop Rookie Girl Groups To Watch In 2023

Fiery Covers Galore

One of the special things about KCON is the emphasis put on historic K-pop songs and events, with remakes and covers being a major part of every KCON. This year was no different, beginning with the first day's concert featuring P1Harmony's cover of BTS's "Fire."

In 2016, when BTS performed "Fire" at KCON LA, the air was palpable with the feeling that something big was taking place. That set has often been cited as the moment many K-pop fans and music watchers realized BTS was on the brink of global superstardom. It was a fitting tribute to have P1Harmony, who had a major year on the festival and touring circuit, open up KCON LA with their own spin on the song the very first night of the event. 

Other acts also put their own spin on both recent hits and older classics throughout the nighttime concerts. The third night featured an homage to girl groups: along with Hyolyn covering LOONA, ZB1 covered Red Velvet's "Psycho" and STAYC covered (G)I-DLE's "Queencard."

The Unsung Hero: The KCON Stage

A rather unsuspecting, warehouse-style room next to the main convention floor was the secret sauce that brought a special touch to revitalize the decade-plus event by making it a true day-long music festival. 

While KCON LA had previously tried smaller nighttime concerts, concerts occasionally on the convention floor, and long-time had a meet-and-greet stage, this year's daytime KCON Stage that almost all artists visited was the sort of concert fans dream of. 

While the headlining M Countdown concerts were certainly the highlights of KCON LA 2024, the KCON Stage provided an intimate moment for artists and fans to get up-close and personal. Kicking off each morning with auditions for the Dream Stage performances with Taemin, ENHYPEN, and Zico for their respective night's events, the KCON Stage featured concert sets from a variety of artists throughout the day. Each day's KCON Stage performances were a bit more relaxed and raw compared to the highly choreographed made-for-TV nighttime shows. 

NMIXX, whose "Run for Roses" and "Dice" got the second night's crowd basking in their glory, was one such moment. The KCON Stage gave them a chance to bring some summertime fun with a bubble-blowing rendition of "Love Me Like This." 

Even acts who are popular K-pop crowd pleasers but not part of the lineup for KCON's main concerts, like A.C.E and AleXa, had sets during the day. They, along with other acts like POW, Bibi, and Craxy, had KCON convention-goers perking up their ears at these unexpected concert moments. 

Ever since it first began in 2012, KCON has been a delightful surprise for attendees. Turn right on the convention floor, you might receive a goodie bag filled with high-quality skin care products. Turn left, and you could stumble into the first-ever performance of a K-pop group in the U.S. All this happens before the main concert even begins at night.

Returning to the L.A. Convention Center and Crypto.com arena from July 26-28, this year’s hybrid South Korean pop culture festival-convention event will host over 20 artists. 

The line-up ranges from popular acts around like ENHYPEN and NCT 127 to '90s K-pop legends g.o.d and hip-hop icon Tiger JK (aka Drunken Tiger), plus burgeoning acts, including the newly formed seven-member girl group, IZNA, from the TV competition show I-LAND 2. KCON L.A. 2024 offers an array of musical exploration for anyone enraptured by the South Korean music scene. 

Read more: 11 Rookie K-Pop Acts To Know In 2024: NCT Wish, RIIZE, Kiss Of Life & More

After days of meet-and-greets, showcase performances, and a special KCON Stage, each night of this year's KCON will culminate in a full-blown concert that will air in South Korea as part of the M Countdown music show.

Whether you’re a fan of soloists like Taemin, Zico or Bibi, girl groups like Kep1er and NMIXX, or boy bands like Zerobaseone and TWS, this KCON is undoubtedly for you. There are also surprises for anyone intrigued by changing entertainment technology, like Apoki, a virtual singer designed as a bunny from outer space. 

While you may not (yet!) be a fan of all these artists, familiarize yourself with all that they have to offer with this playlist featuring some of their most popular and newest songs ahead of this year’s KCON L.A. 

Every July, millions of Black people, specifically Black women, descend upon New Orleans for the Essence Festival of Culture (EFOC). Known for many years as the Essence Festival, the festival is a celebration of Black culture, community, and heritage. Since its inception in 1995 as a one-off event to commemorate the publication’s 25th anniversary, the festival has evolved into a diasporic jubilee, drawing in people of African descent from across the diaspora. 

In addition to its global presence, the festival pours millions of dollars into the local New Orleans community, which has served as the festival's home for 30 years (with the exception of 2006, when the festival was held in Houston, because of Hurricane Katrina). In 2020, the festival was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the annual festival continues to be one of the most sought-after and attended festivals in the United States. 

This year’s Essence Festival of Culture will be held at the Superdome from July 4-7, replete with legendary and fast-rising talents. On July 5, Birdman & Friends will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Cash Money Records. The following day will feature a special performance by Charlie Wilson, while Usher will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Confessions.

Janet Jackson and Victoria Monét will headline the festival's final night, while Frankie Beverly and Maze close out the festival with the return of All-White Night. Other performers include The Roots featuring Mickey Guyton, Ari Lennox and T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, Raphael Saadiq, D-Nice featuring Shelia E, Big Boi, and many more.  

Read more: Music Festivals 2024 Guide: Lineups & Dates For Lollapalooza, Coachella, Bonnaroo & Much More 

EFOC has been compared to SXSW, Coachella, Austin City Limits, and other notable festivals, yet it stands out for its empowerment-centered approach. It is not simply a festival, it is a family reunion. The one festival in the United States that does not pander to or take advantage of Black audiences, but truly celebrates them and their achievements. Although music has always been an integral part of the festival’s ethos — Aretha Franklin and B.B. King performed at the first iteration — the festival excels in its multi-generational and interdisciplinary programming. On any given day, attendees can attend sessions on Black entrepreneurship, politics, mental health, and literature, as well as seminars focused on issues impacting the Black community.  

There’s a reason why the festival is referred to as the party with a purpose. For decades, it has operated as a celebratory convening place for Black people, Black families, and Black communities. Now, more than ever, spaces like EFOC are needed, as the Black community experiences an onslaught of changes — from Historically Black Colleges and Universities in North Carolina and Tennessee being subject to intense government oversight, to Black women-owned venture capital firms being targeted by conservatives, and Black voting rights becoming at risk during an election year. 

Ahead of the festival’s 30th celebration, Michael Barclay, Executive Vice President of Experiential for ESSENCE Ventures and Barkue Tubman Zawolo, Chief of Staff, Talent and Diasporic Engagement for Essence Ventures, spoke to the Recording Academy about the history, legacy, and future of the Essence Festival of Culture.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Are you part of the generation that grew up with the Essence Festival of Culture? If so, how does it feel to be a part of it?

Barkue Tubman Zawolo: I'm originally from Liberia. And even being in Liberia, prior to my family moving to the U.S. in 1980, Essence was always a thing for my mom and my aunts. When we came here, fast forward to me, as an adult, [after] graduating college, I got into the music industry. I've managed artists that have gone through the Essence stages and pages in different ways.

Essence Fest has always been something that we were familiar with. I have to say, I had not really experienced Essence Fest until 2019 when Essence was actually a client. One of the things that I was doing [at that point] was integrating the Diaspora and African creatives within the festival in fashion and music.

To be in the role that I'm in right now and to be on a team with people who have been a part of Essence for a long time…. Essence seems to be ingrained in all of our fabric. [What] started as a music festival now is the Super Bowl of Culture that is the Essence Festival of Culture. To be on the team that helps bring this to life for our community is a daunting but rewarding task all in the same. 

Essence is something that I don't think anybody in our community takes lightly. Even our partners understand the value of it. We certainly understand that we serve the Essence-inverse and, and we are in service to this community. It is a huge honor to be able to be a part of the team that brings this to life and, and, and constantly hear what it means to the community globally too. 

One thing that I admired, especially about last year's festival, was GU Kickback — a music event hosted by Girls United, the publication’s Gen Z vertical. I saw a number of local artists from New Orleans, such as 504ICYGRL. ESSENCE just released a series of cover stories celebrating the 30 year relationship between the publication and New Orleans; how do you highlight the city and their history?

Michael Barclay: As somebody who's worked in experiential, creating gatherings and experiences for almost 25 years now, the venue is always important when you're trying to set the box where you are creating for your community, for your audience. New Orleans has been that backdrop for us for almost 30 years now. 

New Orleans is the convergence of our mission, our brand, in a city that is perfectly matched for that energy. New Orleans is as much a part of Essence Festival of Culture as Essence Magazine is to Essence Festival. 

It is very much a partnership that has created this cultural movement. To be more inclusive, and highlight more of those local relationships and talent is very intentional. It has been something that we have put a lot of energy and effort into over the last couple of years. 

This will be my third festival this year. I think Barkue, you started maybe a year or two before me. We're a fairly new crew that is working to help grow and reshape and solidify those relationships. Even with how we handle the management of the festival. 

Our VP of Essence Festival, Hakeem Holmes is a hometown boy from New Orleans. He's the pride and joy. They love to see him coming. He's always enlightening us on the things that we need to be focused on for the city and how we make the best partnership and make the best impact on the area.

It was intentional what you saw last year. It's intentional this year. We dedicated our entire festival edition of the magazine as a love letter to New Orleans. It's a symbiotic relationship that is one of the key reasons why this festival is the Super Bowl of Culture.  

I would love to hear about the talent aspect of the festival. Last year, Megan Thee Stallion headlined. In previous years, Beyoncé and Prince have served as headliners. What is the formula between balancing local talent, national talent and diasporic talent at the festival?

Zawolo: As we grow the festival, the intentionality becomes even more and more important. And, what we do in understanding where we are as a brand. 

We're 30 years into the festival, the brand is 55 years. What's traditionally known as the Essence Woman is now bringing her daughter. It's multi-generational. We also know that the world is as big as your cell phone, so people are now exposed to different types of content and music. 

We see the influence of Afrobeats and Caribbean music. We are intentional about making sure that every night really speaks to multiple generations, but it's anchored in a generation. It's like, who's bringing, who to the concert on Friday? Is it the daughter bringing her mama? 

It's anchored in  that younger demo, but we're going to make sure that they're going to have a collective good time there. Saturday is usually our heaviest night. We have our living legends that show up there; that really cuts across generations. This is anybody can bring anybody, but let me tell you, you're going to be able to teach each other, connect with each other with the different groupings of talent that we have.

We try to make sure that there is something that speaks to us, but that that connects with the diaspora on as many nights as possible. Sometimes it's not because they're from a different country, but because we know the music also resonates.

If you think of Janet Jackson, you can go anywhere in the world. She can check off that box, although she's not from there. You can create those ties, but we also are intentional about having Ayra Starr and Machel Montano. Last year we had Tems and Wizkid. The goal is to continue to grow what that looks like, because we are a global brand and that is our diasporic and global intent in connecting the global Black community is really important.  

We are intentionally multi-generational. We intentionally lead into where a multitude of generational communities can come together and have fun together. There is something for everybody. We have a unique opportunity with Essence as the brand grows to be able to not only speak to what they want to call the aunties, I call the punties. I also think that this is where we get to educate the next generation on where we're coming from. We also get to learn from them on where they are and where they want to go. 

What a beautiful way to kind of tie all of these connections. Last year, the festival celebrated 50 years of hip-hop; this year you're celebrating the 30th anniversary of the festival. What is the intention behind this year’s music programming?

Zawolo: Paying homage to people who had done some historical things on our stages. We have Janet [Jackson] back. People are like, “Oh, we saw Janet two years ago,” but Janet is also one of the highest sellers in the festival's history. 

If we're going to celebrate, let's celebrate, because we know Janet never disappoints. We also want to lean into some of the [older] talent, like Charlie Wilson, Uncle Charlie. He's graced that stage so many times, but yet it's still very relevant. Using this moment to reignite things that we've done in the past and bring them back to life that we know the audience missed.

Frankie Beverly, who is going to come, this is probably going to really be his last performance. The passing of the torch. This year was about having to be intentional about what other milestones are happening that are important to this culture. Cash Money is also celebrating 30 years. Who better, right?  

Essence has been in New Orleans for 30 years. Cash Money and crew are from New Orleans. Juvenile just got the key to the city from the mayor. We want to honor and celebrate him, but we also want to recognize the influence that this group of very creative, entrepreneurial, rappers and artists have had on culture, because there was a time where we all were backing that ass up. 

Making sure we highlighted milestones, connecting with people who have historically been a part of making history with us, introducing some new ones — that's what we have to do. We have to set up now for the next 30 years. We want to go to the soul of what appeals to our audience, and we're really all about good music.  

I think the 30th year just continues to do what we do. As we look to grow and connect demos, Megan Thee Stallion is a very viable option because again, the daughter now is going to bring the mama. Intergenerational diasporic and connecting demos, I think that only happens at the Superdome. That's also happening in the convention center, which I believe is honestly the soul of the festival. 

What are your hopes and aspirations for the next 30 years of the Essence Festival of Culture? Will Essence Fest always be in New Orleans? Are we going to have an Essence Fest in Lagos, Nigeria?

Barclay: Being on this side of [EFOC], seeing the true impact of the festival and how it impacts the communities, how it impacts the folks that come to New Orleans, and now, because we've expanded to our virtual audience, the 1.7 million that are viewing around the world, my hope for the festival is that we continue to show up where our community needs us.

We're going to be in New Orleans. We're going to be in our official world as we call it. If you can't make it to New Orleans, you can tune into Essence.com and you can see what's going on there. We are creating virtual experiences, AR experiences, VR experiences, all those things, so really keeping up with the way that people continue to connect with each other, whether they're physically in the same place or halfway across the world.

I think that type of innovation is what I want to continue to see us do and allow us to create that joy that we generate in New Orleans and wherever it's needed for our community.