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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, 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 precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

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 Christmas Spirit

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

Final Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.