🔗 Share this article

The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

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

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured covers of inspirations, 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 Spirit

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

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.