Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For 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, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

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 breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful 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 technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.