🔗 Share this article Rhythm and Blues Xmas Concert Review: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B. Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts. Toni Braxton's Powerful Set The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success. However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly. Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart. The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos 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 awe-inspiring 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 influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven. A Touch of Christmas Spirit Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road. Final Impressions While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.