Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.
However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their set included interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.