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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

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

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

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

Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful 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 experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.