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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “For 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 audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.