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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

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 single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.