Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties

This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set featured covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.