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The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Moving Set

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

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage 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 stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began 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 set featured covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

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

Final Impressions

While the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.