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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.