The Voice 28 Recap: Battles 3 Live Blog with Videos
The Voice season 28 Battle Rounds continue, airing on Monday October 20. 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
Makenzie Phipps vs Lauren Anderson – Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood – Team Snoop
Both singers were one-chair turns, buttons hit at the very last minute. Lauren is more of a blues rocker, while Makenzie is pure country. Lizzo suggests to Lauren that she open up her jaw when she sings. She also gives the pair performance tips. The singers decided to sing the song as if they are both mad at the same person. Before the two take the stage, they literally beat up an old car with baseball bats. OK!
Lauren is a mature pro who knows how to wail on a song Makenzie’s voice is more authentically country, but Lauren slaps that song around! I would not want to be the guy who cheated on her.
Niall noted that the pair approached the song differently, and feels the decision is 50/50. Reba believes Carrie will be proud of their performance. But she would choose Lauren. Michael calls Makenzie “perfection,” but he would also pick Lauren. Snoop loves the sisterhood between the singers. Snoop picks Lauren, Makenzie is eliminated. He feels Lauren has the maturity to take her performance all the way to the finals.
Aarik Duncan vs Max Chambers – Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington and Bill Withers – Team Bublé
Aarik and Max were the artists left after everyone else paired up, Aarik feels protective of the teen singer Max, who calls him “Mr. Aarik.” Max played a young Michael Jackson on Broadway. But his singing style has hardly matured at age 14. Kelsea suggests Aarik plan out his ad libs better. The two need to “lock in” together, she says.
Aarik’s tone is SO smooth. Max is good, but young. He’s got plenty of time ahead of him to grow into his talent. He should probably go back to school. But novelty may rule the day when it comes to decisions about Max. For Aarik’s part, he’s a generous duet partner.
Snoop appreciated the singers chemistry. He would pick Max. Niall calls Max a complete natural. He would lean towards Max. Reba calls the performance spectacular and would choose Aarik. Michael picks Max, Aarik is eliminated. Not surprised. Michael thinks Max has the potential to be a star.
Aiden Ross vs Ava Nat – What a Time by Niall Horan – Team Niall
Aiden was a 4-chair turn. Ava got three chairs to turn. Both singers are VERY excited to see Lewis Capaldi as mentor. Niall is worried that choosing his own song is “self-indulgent” but truly feels it fits the singers. “Two very pure singers,” Niall remarks. He and Lewis barely have any notes for them. Oh. Niall has a save. No way anybody is going home from this matchup!
Both singers are really great. Aiden has a sweet tone and a heavenly head voice. Ava sings from a deep well of emotion. Plus, the two are so cute together. This is seriously one of the best duets of the competition. I wholeheartedly believe the story they are telling.
Reba feels the singers voices blend so well. “Take both of them!” she says. (I AGREE). Michael loves both singers, but would pick Aiden for his falsetto. “I’m witnessing teenage love!” Snoop teases and hints that he may steal (already given away in the teasers!). Niall felt they sounded so good together. Niall picks Aiden, Saves Ava, Snoop Steals her, Ava stays with Team Niall. Snoop still has his steal!
Manny Costello vs Leyton Robinson – Think I’m in Love with You by Chris Stapleton – Team Reba
Manny and Leyton are both country singers. Manny met his wife when they were sophomores in high school. Reba wants to hear more harmony in the vocal arrangement. Nick suggests Leyton add a “flutter” to the end of her lines.
Both singers bring something special to the table here. Manny sings with a wonderfully raspy voice, but Leyton’s tone is irresistibly pure, piercing and beautiful. I’d pick her.
Michael believes Leyton could sing the phone book, but he also loves the gravel in Manny’s voice. He can’t choose. Snoop won’t pick either. Niall feels both singers “stepped it up big time.” Reba picks Leyton, Manny is eliminated. Michael almost stole him. Reba is disappointed that he did not.
Vinya Chhabra vs Conrad Kahlil – It Takes Two by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston – Team Reba
Montaged battle ends with Conrad winning. Reba calls him a “show dog.” – Reba picks Conrad, Vinya is eliminated.
Emmanuel Rey vs Mindy Miller – Angel from Montgomery by John Prine – Team Snoop
The singers vocal styles are different, but Mindy is certain the two will blend well together. Emmanuel isn’t as confident. Mindy got two turns at her audition, but Snoop blocked Reba. Emmanuel sang a song entirely in Spanish. Reba’s song choice for the pair is a total setup for Mindy. Bonnie Raitt recorded a beautiful cover of this song, by the way. Lizzo suggests Emmanuel sing a bit of his audition song for her. After, she suggests he sing a little of the duet in his first language. Lizzo suggests Mindy mind her control in her upper register.
Mindy sits on a stool while strumming a guitar. She’s fantastic, but Emmanuel is holding his own considering he’s out of his comfort zone. Regardless, Mindy should win this battle. The two are extremely supportive of each other on stage.
Niall calls the duet “beautiful” and he’s impressed that Emmanuel held his own. He calls Mindy “next level.” Reba is still mad that Snoop blocked her from Mindy, she’d pick her. Michael enjoys how she sings and plays guitar. He loves Emmanuel’s smooth voice. Snoop picks Mindy, Emmanuel is eliminated. Mindy busts out in tears when Snoop chooses her.
Carolina Rodriguez vs Kirbi – You Say by Lauren Daigle – Team Niall
For once a coach says that they WOULD HAVE put the two singers who chose each other together. Niall believes Battles are about creating good moments. Oh. Carolina is the artist who has a crush on Niall. Kirbi sang a Christian song for her audition, so Niall picked a Lauren Daigle number for their duet. She is a Christian artist who has crossed over to pop. In fact, Carolina is singing the song for her dad, while Kirbi sings for God. Both become emotional during rehearsal.
She has a couple of pitch problems, but Carolina dominates the performance. It doesn’t matter. Snoop is clearly stealing the loser of this Battle. Both singers pour their hearts and souls in the performance.
Reba calls both singers angelic. Michael once again compliments Niall on his song choice. Michael is mad he did not turn for Carolina. Niall acts like he needs more time. Eventually Niall picks Kirby, Snoop steals Carolina. Aw. Carolina dissed by the guy she stans.
Next Monday, the Battles end and the Knockouts begin with Mega Mentors Zach Bryan and Joe Walsh. Tuesday episodes are finished until the live shows. See you next week!
