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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

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 performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed 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 performance featured covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful 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 technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.