Diana Ross and Mary J. Blige have been confirmed as the first two headliners for 2017’s Essence Festival in New Orleans.

Announced earlier today, Blige and Ross will also be joined by the likes of John Legend, Chaka Khan, Solange and India Arie, with more set to be announced over the coming weeks.

“But why do I need to care when I live in the UK?” we hear you ask. Well…. we know you love a UK festival rumour, and the fact Essence kicks off one week after 2017’s Glastonbury is important news, particularly when it comes to the acts who are confirmed to be hitting the festival circuit.

Mary J Blige last played Worthy Farm back in 2015 (the singer’s debut), surprising the crowd with a world-class performance that included some of her biggest hits to-date. Meanwhile, Diana Ross has long-since been rumoured to be filling the coveted Sunday Afternoon Legends Slot for 2017, a position originally ‘confirmed’ by Barry Gibb earlier this year. Whilst we’re not jumping to any conclusions just yet, the fact both artists are readying a live show toward the end of June certainly excites us – if even one of Essence’s line-up even makes a trip to Glastonbury, then next year’s soiree could be one of the strongest for soul and R&B fans yet.