🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Feelings The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame. However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “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 grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Spirit Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.