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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

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

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.