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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Overall Impressions

Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.