🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B. Starting Acts: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main 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. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success. Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment. Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Spirit Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.