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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set included interpretations of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.