R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Powerful Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on 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 reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
