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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s 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 era of her peak success.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, 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

Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful finale 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 sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.