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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.