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The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the time period of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.