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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving 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 performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded 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 had some hiccups, and the sense 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 sparkle rather than snow.