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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

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

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

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

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

Overall Thoughts

While the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.