Best bets: Music

The Louisiana Superdome hosts the Essence Music Festival July 1 – 3 in New Orleans. Marquee artists Kanye West, Irma Thomas and Mavis Staples join Doug E. Fresh, Jill Scott, Boyz II Men and George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic for this annual R&B celebration.

The Glassnote recording artists of Royal Bangs bring their Tennessee brand of indie rock to Spanish Moon for a concert July 15. Oklahoma’s Colourmusic opens.

Retro indie pop band Generationals return to Baton Rouge in support of sophomore album Actor-Caster for a show July 26 at Manship Theatre. Santa Barbara rock band Gardens & Villa opens.