R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties

This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their set included 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 show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.