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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “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, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their set featured interpretations of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale 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 stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.