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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, 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 headlining acts.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

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

Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.