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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version 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 opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong 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 experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.