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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “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 audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

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

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.