R&B Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.
However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
