R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
