R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
