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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the night's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.