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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.