R&B Xmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
