🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Trip Back to the 90s The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B. Opening Performances: Classic Vibes The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest success. However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band. Their set included covers of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Cheer Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.