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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Dash 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 strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.