🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts. The Moving Set The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period 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 on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their set featured covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Cheer Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme 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. Overall Thoughts Although the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.