R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood 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 younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.