Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.
However, 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 gave a profoundly heartfelt 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 crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
