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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave 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 crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.