🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: A Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists. The Moving Set The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame. Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply 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 grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their set included covers of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Cheer Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions While the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.