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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

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

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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 Dash of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at points 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 frost.