Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.
The Moving Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set featured covers of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions 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 Thoughts
Although the evening'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 transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.