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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving Set

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

Then, deep into her set, 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 delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday mood 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 night's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.