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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “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 flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout 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 concert 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

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.