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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Feelings

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

The Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak success.

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale 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 experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.