🔗 Share this article

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “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 somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.