Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties

The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, 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 accompaniment.

Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.