R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their set included covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions 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.
Final Thoughts
While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.
