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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. Initially, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her performance, 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 stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored 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 matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

Their set included covers of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with renditions 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.

Overall Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.