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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

The Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

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

Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece 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 Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.