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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

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

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

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

Final Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.