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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing 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 stated earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.