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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing 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 declared earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

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

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show 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 night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.