R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists 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 snow.
