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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics 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 featured covers of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points 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, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.