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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

The Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not 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 earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

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

Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.