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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.