R&B Xmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.
The Powerful Set
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished 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 all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.
