🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B. Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success. However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly. Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Cheer Finally, the evening turned to 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. Final Thoughts Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.