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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted 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 sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt 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 emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of influences, including 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 embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.