🔗 Share this article R&B Xmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B. Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. Toni Braxton's Moving Set The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success. Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band. Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Cheer Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.