R&B Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Powerful Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.
Their set included covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.
