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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the era of her peak success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.