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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.