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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.

Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform 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 earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas 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.

Final Impressions

While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.