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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.