R&B Xmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
