R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
While the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
