Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
