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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Final Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.