Kentucky Derby promises to be a lot more lit this year with the announcement of a historic concert featuring Janet Jackson and New Edition. Before both legendary acts headline the 2022 ESSENCE Festival of Culture this July, they'll make a detour to Louisville, Kentucky to usher in Derby Night during the 85° West Music Festival on Saturday, May 7th.
Derby Night will take place at Lynn Family Stadium the evening of the 2022 Kentucky Derby race, which happens earlier that day at Churchill Downs. What makes this event so historic is the fact that this will be the first concert to happen at the outdoor soccer stadium. We can't think of a better or bigger way to kick off music coming to Lynn Family Stadium and the inaugural Derby Night than with Janet Jackson and New Edition.
Janet has been slowly rolling out upcoming live performance dates, with this Derby Night appearance being the third announcement after ESSENCE Fest and the Cincinnati Music Festival, both in July. We don't know where else Ms. Jackson has on her spring and summer itinerary, but we're waiting with bated breath for a full tour announcement.
New Edition, meanwhile, has been blazing stages from coast to coast on The Culture Tour with Charlie Wilson and Jodeci. The tour ends in early April, so the fellas will be rested and rejuvenated for the audience in Louisville by the time Derby Night comes around.
Tickets for the 85° West Music Festival Derby Night will go on presale on Thursday, March 24th and sale to the general public on Friday, March 25th starting at 10 am ET online via SeatGeek. Local residents can also purchase tickets directly at the Lynn Family Stadium box office.
