R&B Christmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties

This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their set featured covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.