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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

Then, deep into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.