🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts. The Powerful Performance The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame. Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band. Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Spirit Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.