H.E.R. is such an R&B fan, she curated a festival intended to put a spotlight on fellow artists in the genre. The Lights On Festival will be making its return to the Bay Area roughly two years after it first premiered in 2019.
On Sunday (June 27), as the singer celebrated her 24th birthday, she took to Instagram to announce her second annual festival, which is named after her 2017 single, alongside the vocalists who are set to hit the stage during the two-day event.
Set to headline the show are Erykah Badu, H.E.R. and some undisclosed “friends.” Bryson Tiller, Ari Lennox, Ty Dolla $ign, Keyshia Cole, Masego, Lucky Daye, Kiana Lede, Blxst, Foushee, VanJess, Arin Ray, Tiana Major9, Maeta, Brianna Castro, Samaria, Maxx Moore and Lorea will also be hitting the stage.
Additional performers will be announced at a later time.
The lineup of the Lights on Festival came on the heels of H.E.R.’s victory in the category of Best R&B/Pop artist at the BET Awards 2021. Amid her acceptance speech, she spoke about her love for R&B and denounced claims that the genre is nonexistent.
“When they say R&B is dead, R&B is not alive, it’s in everything,” she said. “…I’m here, and Chloe [Bailey] is here, and all these other artists that were nominated in this category are here, and we’re all championing R&B. And I’m so grateful to be a part of that list of amazing artists…I’m gonna continue to celebrate R&B.” She then mentioned the Bay Area festival, which will finally make a comeback following delays made amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Lights on Festival is set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 18 and Sunday, Sept. 19 at the Concord Pavilion in Concord, California. Tickets are currently on sale.
Look below to see H.E.R’s flyer for the festival as well as her BET Awards acceptance speech.