Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, 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 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 grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, 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 precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong 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 artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
