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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-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 included interpretations of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.