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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance 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

While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.