R&B Christmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Powerful Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage 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 stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
