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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including 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 theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.