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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “For 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, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.