Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured interpretations of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.
