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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

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

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.