The Voice 28 Recap: Battles 2 Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 28 Battle Rounds continue airing on Tuesday October 14. Each of the coaches–Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan and Snoop Dogg–will pare down their teams, utilizing a giant twist. In addition, Battle Round advisors return.
Former coach, Kelsea Ballerini will aid Team Bublé, another former coach Nick Jonas helps out Team Reba, Lewis Capaldi will team up with his good friend, Team Niall, and Lizzo joins Team Snoop.
For the first time in the history of the show, the coaches WILL NOT pair up the contestants for Battle! Instead, the artists on each team will pair themselves. Each team starts with 12 members, 8 will remain by the end of the round, including 1 steal and 1 save.
The Voice 28 Battles Begin with Celebrity Advisors and a NEW TWIST
Letter to Elise vs Ryan Mitchell – Don’t You Forget About Me by Simple Minds – Team Reba
Ryan received the “Carson Callback” card back in the beginning of the season, while one of the Letter to Elise duo didn’t get a chair turn in a previous season. The guys are thrilled to be mentored by Nick Jonas. So…Reba actually knows this 80’s alternative rock tune? I kind of doubt it. But maybe she does. Nick advises Ryan to lean into his inner rock star. He suggests that the duo move around the stage more. Oh. Nick shares that he was signed as a solo artist first, before the record company heard the brothers. Nick is the most talented of all three.
Ryan is more modern, and frankly, cooler than the duo. He’s also the better singer. I’m partial to Ryan, but that probably has to do with my particular taste in music. Having said that, the duo and Ryan are working together very well harmonically, especially that last bit of harmonizing.
“That was groovy like a drive in movie,” says Snoop. He calls Ryan a superstar, but won’t pick. Niall calls the performance “nuts.” He would lean towards Ryan, but likes both acts. Michael loved the group’s imaginative interpretation. Michael thinks Ryan improved. He compares him to Michael Hutchence the late INXS frontman. Reba is happy all three loosened up. Reba picks Ryan Mitchell, Letter to Elise is eliminated. Carson congratulates him backstage.
Sadie Dahl vs Toni Lorene – Love on the Brain by Rihanna – Team Snoop
Sadie chose Toni because she feels their voices will compliment each other. Toni is intimidated that Sadie, who grew up on R&B music, is a 4-chair turn.Toni freaks out. She covered Lizzo in her Blind Audition. Lizzo wants more emotion from the singers and suggests Toni take the high harmony. She also suggests a more impactful intro. Ohh. Snoop reveals to Sadie and Toni that they are his favorites on the team.
Welp. Snoop used his save on the premiere, but another coach will definitely snap up the loser of this battle. I prefer Sadie’s vocal, especially the texture of her tone and phrasing. But do not sleep on Toni. She’s a powerhouse. Her big notes are mind-blowing.
Niall calls Toni’s voice “bonkers” and feels Snoop picked the perfect song. Reba calls both singers “goofy talented.” She’d pick Toni. Michael felt Sadie’s performance started soft. He’d pick Toni. Snoop is mad that the two picked each other. After talking to the “gangster holy ghost” Snoop picks Toni, Niall steals Sadie! He may be a better fit for her.
Oh Nancy Cartwright from The Simpsons (Bart) is in the audience for some reason. Is she promoting something?
Lucas Beltran vs Max Cooper III – It’s a Beautiful Day by Michael Bublé – Team Bublé
Lucas and Max both sing jazz. The two are also friends. Michael chose the song because he felt it would suit both singers. Max is more of a pop voice, while Lucas is a straight crooner. Michael suggests that he not be too stylized. He gives Max a few suggestions on his phrasing. Michael takes a minute to sing his song with the artists. Kelsea warns Max that his pitch is off when he gets up from the piano. He’s used to being behind an instrument.
Max plays while Lucas sits next to him. During rehearsal, Michael pushed the two to up the buddy factor. Lucas is the first good crooner the show has had. Both were better as solos though. The buddy stuff feels kind of awkward. Max is interesting, and also more musical and diverse than Lucas. It’s hard to decide the winner.
Snoop would pick Lucas based on the performance. Niall loves Max’s vocal range. Snoop is right, Max was held back in this duet. Niall would pick Max. Reba would pick Lucas. Michael picks Max! Lucas is eliminated. I’m a little surprised. But based on Max’s Blind, he should advance. Michael promises to help Lucas after the show.
Camille Tredoux vs Kayleigh Clark – Cowboys Cry Too by Kelsea Ballerini – Team Niall
Camille feels that Kayleigh, a 4-chair turn, will push her. A country artist, Kayleigh decided to go with Team Niall instead of Team Reba for a less genre competitive situation. Camille performed an intriguing cover of The Who’s “Behind Blue Eyes” for her Blind Audition. Kelsea is Michael’s advisor, but Niall has never met her! So she drops by to chat. Kayleigh’s dad, a rodeo performer, got sober. Lewis shares some of his struggles with anxiety. It got so bad, he had to quit touring for awhile.
Kayleigh’s soulful country tone is special. But Camille has something going on as well. Her dark tone is gorgeous. She’s like a 70’s style Canyon singer. Both deserve to be on teams.
Reba calls them a great duo. She compares Camille to Stevie Nicks, and Kayleigh to Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. Michael notes that Camille probably would not have chosen that song for herself. He compliments Kayleigh’s clear tone and would pick her. Snoop is impressed by Camille’s versatility. He felt Kayleigh made the song her own. Niall picks Kayleigh, Camille is eliminated. Too bad. Camille is good. The song did not favor her.
Alex Brown vs Liam Von Elbe – Linger by The Cranberries – Team Niall
Well that stinks! My new favorite singer, Alex Brown was montaged, AND he lost his battle against Liam Von Elbe. Oh well.
Carly Harvey vs Marty O’Reilly – At this Moment by Billy and the Beaters – Team Bublé
Marty sings with a “cool Americana” sound. He’s got rasp for days. Carly sings jazz/soul/blues. They are very different from each other! But they picked one another. The blues is what brought them together. Michael would like both singers to dig into the song’s pain. Carly has been working at music for 20 years. Kelsea believes imperfections can make the performance even better. In other words, don’t focus on the technicalities.
It’s a good song choice for the singers. Sure, their voices sound different, but the pick leans on both vocalists soulful side. Carly is the better vocalist. But man, Marty POURS on the emotion. He’s a talented storyteller.
Snoop will not pick a winner. Niall was also impressed with both singers. He would lean toward Marty. Reba loves Marty’s huskiness. She would choose him. Michael noticed that Carly was nervous at first. Michael compliments the way Marty told a story. Michael picks Marty, Carly is eliminated. The correct choice. But I feel bad for Carly. She’s been at it for a long time.
Aubrey Nicole vs Cori Kennedy – Something Bad by Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood – Team Reba
Country singers Aubrey and Cori are good friends. Both girls squee over Nick Jonas. Cori has had no vocal training. Aubrey on the other hand is studying music at Belmont University in Nashville. Nick thinks the less enunciation the better on this particular song in order to keep the cool factor. He has very specific (and good!) technical tips for the artists.
No doubt there will be a steal here. Both singers are powerful and perform with chemistry. It’s hard to pick a winner. Aubrey brings on the growl, while Cori hits big high notes. It’s a confident performance from both.
Michael believes it’s impossible choice between the two. Snoop feels Reba knows how to put a team together. A rare occurrence–Snoop picks Cori. Niall also picks Cori. Reba picks Cori, and then SAVES Aubrey. Snoop attempts to steal her. Snoop picked Cori hoping to influence Reba so he could yoink Aubrey. Oh well! Of course, Aubrey stays with Reba. Reba picks Cori, wins battle with Snoop to SAVE Aubrey.
HEADS UP! Tuesday shows are finished until later in the season. Mondays only now.
