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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

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

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

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 anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.