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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.