R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “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 crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their set included interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended 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 evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.