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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.