R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak success.
Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
