R&B Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the 90s
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings
Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success.
Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
