R&B Christmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group 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-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their set included interpretations of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
