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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas mood 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 evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.