Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s

The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.