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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set featured covers 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 turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.