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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, 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 gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly 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-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their performance included interpretations of influences, such as a memorable 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 turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.