R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.