Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

The Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, deep into her performance, she spoke 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 performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar 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 abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured covers 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 Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.