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This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Powerful Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

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

Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful 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 had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.