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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle 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 performance. “For 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, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.