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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

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

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.