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

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs 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 single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

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 awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their set included covers of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful 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 technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.