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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.