🔗 Share this article

The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

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

Final Thoughts

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.