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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

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

The Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “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, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions 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.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.