Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
