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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads 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, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

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

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Final Thoughts

While the night's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.