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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions 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.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.