🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Concert Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Classic Vibes The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists. The Powerful Performance The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak success. Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band. Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Spirit Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.