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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

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

Overall Impressions

While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.