R&B Xmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
The Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run 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 experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
