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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing 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 stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their performance featured covers of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances 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.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.