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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving Set

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

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.