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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

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

Final Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.