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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their set included covers of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs 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 mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance 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 production had some hiccups, 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, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.