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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.