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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated 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 headlining artists.

The Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.

Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale 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 hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.