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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles 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 heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included covers of influences, including 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 holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.