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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing 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 sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

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

Their set included covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.