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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave 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, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

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