🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the Nineties The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B. Opening Performances: Classic Vibes The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success. However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing 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 sincerely. Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Holiday Spirit Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.