Check out the best performance photos from Essence mag's annual New Orleans fest, including D'Angelo, Mary J. and the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin
D'Angelo continues on his comeback trail performing at the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 6, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Erika Goldring / Getty Images
Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige performs during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 7, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Skip Bolen / WireImage
Eve
Eve performs during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 8, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Erika Goldring / Getty Images
Anthony Hamilton
Anthony Hamilton performs during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 8, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Erika Goldring / Getty Images
Estelle
Estelle performs during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 8, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Johnny Nunez / WireImage
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan performs during the conclusion of the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 8, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Skip Bolen / WireImage
Kirk Franklin
Kirk Franklin performs during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 8, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Bennett Raglin / WireImage
Melanie Fiona
Melanie Fiona performs during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 8, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Johnny Nunez / WireImage
Gary Clark, Jr.
Blues artist Gary Clark, Jr. performs during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 6, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Erika Goldring / Getty Images
Leah LaBelle
Buzzing R&B singer Leah LaBelle performs during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 7, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Erika Goldring / Getty Images
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin closes the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 8, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Monica McKlinski / FilmMagic
Fantasia
Fantasia Barrino performs during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 8, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Johnny Nunez / WireImage
Kirk Franklin & Marvin Sapp
Gospel singers Kirk Franklin and Pastor Marvin Sapp perform during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 8, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Skip Bolen / WireImage
Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Cole performs during Day 1 of the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 6, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Skip Bolen / WireImage
Charlie Wilson
Charlie Wilson, formerly of The Gap Band, performs during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 6, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Bennett Raglin / WireImage
Ledisi
Ledisi performs during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 7, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Erika Goldring
Robert Glasper Experiment
Jazz collective Robert Glasper Experiment perform during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 7, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Erika Goldring / Getty Images
The Pointer Sisters
The Pointer Sisters make a special appearance at the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 6, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Erika Goldring / Getty Images
Eric Robertson
Indie soul singer Eric Robertson performs during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 7, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Erika Goldring / Getty Images
Mary Mary
Gospel duo (and sisters) Mary Mary perform during the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 7, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Erika Goldring / Getty Images
D'Angelo
D'Angelo continues on his comeback trail performing at the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 6, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Erika Goldring / Getty Images
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin closes the 2012 Essence Music Festival at Louisiana Superdome on July 8, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
