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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

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 anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.