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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 carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.