R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties

The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly 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 segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded 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 night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.