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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Spirit

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the night's production had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.