🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Vibes Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts. The Powerful Set The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame. However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment. Their performance included covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Cheer Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances 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. Final Impressions Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.