R&B Xmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.