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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

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

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing 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.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Final Impressions

While the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.