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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly 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 harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday mood 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.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.