Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
The Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of influences, 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 Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
