Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties

This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up 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 moment. “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 crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo 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 evening embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.