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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.