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The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their live band.

Their set featured covers of inspirations, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

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