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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.