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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For 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, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

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

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.