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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.