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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

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

Final Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.