R&B Xmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened 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 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 Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful 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 glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
