R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set included interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended 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 technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
