R&B Xmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her performance, 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 profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo 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 show ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
