R&B Xmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their performance featured covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.