🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Recap: A Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B. Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame. However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “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 encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band. Their performance featured covers of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Spirit Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Impressions Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.