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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

The Moving Set

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

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the evening's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.