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The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their performance included interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.