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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

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

The Moving Set

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

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

Their performance included interpretations of influences, including 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 holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.