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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the night's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.