R&B Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing 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 beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.
Then, 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 delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme 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.
Overall Thoughts
While the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
