🔗 Share this article

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never 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 earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme 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 production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.