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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage 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 stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.