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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest success.

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

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.