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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak 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 profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated 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 tight and responsive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme 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.

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.