🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Feelings Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists. The Powerful Set The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success. Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band. Their performance included covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Cheer Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.