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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest success.

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

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.