🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists. The Powerful Performance The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success. Then, nine songs 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 gave a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band. Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Cheer Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions 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 evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.