R&B Xmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period 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 gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
While the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.