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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main acts.

The Moving Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began 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 performance featured covers of influences, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended 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 glitches, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.