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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their performance included interpretations of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Final Thoughts

While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.