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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

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

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems 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 glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.