🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Vibes Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists. The Moving Set The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak success. Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight 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 Dash of Christmas Cheer Finally, the concert turned to the holiday theme 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. Final Thoughts Although the night's production experienced 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 briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.