Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Vibes

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

The Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, 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, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured interpretations of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.