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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.