R&B Christmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the 90s
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest success.
However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
