🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success. Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment. Their set featured covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Spirit Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions 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. Overall Impressions Although the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.