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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

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

Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included covers of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

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

Overall Thoughts

While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.