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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of hits 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 points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.