Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful 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 had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.