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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.