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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.