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

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience 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. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set included interpretations of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances 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.

Final Impressions

While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.