š Share this article R&B Xmas Concert Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B. Opening Acts: Classic Feelings Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists. The Moving Performance The opening of Burna Boyās Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasnāt Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success. Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. āFor as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,ā she stated earnestly. Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart. Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment. Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Marsās Locked Out of Heaven. A Dash of Christmas Cheer Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, Iāll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Overall Thoughts Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.