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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their live band.

Their performance featured interpretations 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 Holiday Cheer

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

Final Impressions

Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than frost.