R&B Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak success.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.
