R&B Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up 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 deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.
