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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, 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 crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

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

Final Impressions

Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.