R&B Xmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Acts: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, deep into her set, 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 earnestly.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions 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 Thoughts
While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
