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This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included interpretations 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 concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale 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 had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.