The Voice 24 Battles: Team Niall Horan’s Lennon VanderDoes vs Tanner Massey ends in a double steal
The Voice Season 24 Battles kicked off Tuesday night with three matchups (one each from Team John Legend, Team Reba McEntire, and Team Niall Horan). The final battle of the night came the team of reigning winner, Niall, and ended in an epic double steal. (Read our Recap)
Niall paired 27-year-old indie folk singer Lennon Vanderdoes from Phoenix, Arizona with 19-year-old pop singer Tanner Massey from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
“I paired Tanner and Lennon together because I felt like they were two sweet folky singer-songwriter male voices,” said Niall. He calls the song they are singing “She’s Always a Woman” by Billy Joel “a perfect example” of their sound. Niall notes Lennon’s “stand out” tone and the “youth” in Tanner’s voice. In rehearsal, he advises Tanner to ease into it and sing it like he’s “waltzing.” He tells Lennon, “always try your best to tell the story” Lennon will be thinking of his supportive wife as he performs. Niall says the battle will come down to “who can tell the story.”
Lennon and Tanner duet Billy Joel’s classic “She’s Always a Woman”
Tanner opens the song putting a pop touch on it adding some very pop-forward runs to the melody. Lennon’s whimsical tone is a natural fit on the song. The harmonies are very nice. I find Tanner’s upper range to be more compelling and powerful even if it breaks at times. Lennon’s tone is more unique though. It’s a very evenly matched battle, but I would lean with Tanner as he seemed more dynamic.
Gwen Stefani tells the singers, “both of you are mind-blowing in your own way.” She says Lennon’s tone is “so unique,” but she calls Tanner “magical” and that is why she would choose him. John notes that he wrote “All of Me” about his now wife, Chrissy Teigen, after his manager suggested he should write a song like “She’s Always a Woman.” John says he would also lean towards Tanner. Reba calls Lennon’s voice “wonderful” since he can “sing so high.” She appreciated Tanner’s stage performance. Niall notes Lennon’s control and “captivating tone.” He loves Tanner’s “riffy flairy” touches.
Team Gwen and Team Legend fight over Tanner Massey
In the end, it’s Lennon’s “interesting tone” that leads Niall to choose him. But then immediately, John and Gwen hit their buttons to steal Tanner. John says “I really believe that Tanner has a magical voice.” He believes America will love him. Gwen says, “you have something in you that you’re showing us that we want more of.” She also uses a mother approach to win over Tanner. He ultimately chooses Gwen. Tanner said the mother approach worked as it hit home for him when Gwen mentioned that her teenage son also sings.
This exciting battle was the highlight of the night. Tanner deserved the steal.
