R&B Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of hits 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 stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.