Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through 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 included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday theme with performances 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.

Final Impressions

Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.