R&B Christmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Moving Set
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful 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 glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.
