🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B. Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts. The Moving Performance The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak success. However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely. Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band. Their set featured interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Cheer Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Thoughts While the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.