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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

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

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set featured covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended 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 evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.