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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of influences, 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 Cheer

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.