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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers known for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply heartfelt performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.