🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists. The Moving Set The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame. However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band. Their set included covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Spirit Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts Although the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.