R&B Xmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.
