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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “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 command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their performance included covers of influences, 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 Cheer

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

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.