🔗 Share this article R&B Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B. Opening Performances: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success. Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely. Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their set included covers of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Holiday Cheer 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. Final Thoughts While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.