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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

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

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions 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 Thoughts

While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.