Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
