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This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

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

The Powerful Performance

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

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform 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 sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured covers of influences, 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 Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the holiday mood with renditions 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 Impressions

While the night's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.