🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B. Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success. However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, 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 concert embraced the holiday theme with performances 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. Overall Thoughts While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.