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This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.

However, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their performance included covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

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

Final Thoughts

While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.