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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

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

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.