R&B Xmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Powerful Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
