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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving 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 live band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing 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 launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, 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 responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured covers of inspirations, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.