The Voice 28 Recap: Finale Performance Live Blog (Videos)
The Voice season 28 performance finale airs on Monday (Dec 15).
The top six artists perform a contemporary and classic song in front of the coaches–Michael Bublé, Reba McEntire, Niall Horan and Snoop Dogg–to compete for the title of “The Voice.”
Viewers will have the chance to vote for their favorite artist overnight. Go to NBC.com or The Voice official app.
The show opens LIVE with host Carson Daly and the coaches recognizing the weekend’s three tragedies (murder of Rob Reiner and his wife, Australian terror attack, Brown University lethal shooting).
The WILDCARD finalists voted in to the finale by YOU are Max Chambers from Team Bublé and DEK of Hearts from Team Niall.
DEK of Hearts – Team Niall Wildcard – Fishing in the Dark by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
DEK ALSO won the Mic Drop and will perform at the Rose Parade on New Years Day.
This song is a crowd pleaser that highlights the trio’s tight harmonies. Each singer also performs solos. Having said that, the song overall isn’t as perfect as the taped performances from earlier rounds. Think of that–the finale is the FIRST live performance for all six artists. Usually in earlier rounds, the singers get to work out the kinks of performing live.
Reba felt the group knocked it out of the ball park. Niall has been sick for a couple of weeks! He won’t be singing with his artists tomorrow. Reba will step in for DEK. “These guys have never put a foot wrong,” Niall declares.
Max Chambers – Team Bublé Wildcard – Your Way’s Better Than Mine by Forrest Frank
The “letter to music” is back which always comes off kind of weird! Fourteen year old Max, who has already starred on Broadway in the Michael Jackson musical, thanks his mother.
Max is a good singer. There is so much potential! But he’s unfinished. Michael’s decision not to advance him was correct. But I guess fans felt otherwise and picked him as a wildcard. Who am I to argue? NBC broke the bank. There are dancers backing Max as he performs!
Michael calls Max “bold” to share his faith. “You crushed it” he says. Ha ha. It’s not “Bold” to pull out the God card on a singing show. It’s strategic, and typically works like a charm on the audience.
Aubrey Nicole – Team Reba – Until You Can’t by Cody Johnson
Aubrey was a one chair turn, and Reba kept saving her. Reba once again mentions the death of her step-son Brandon Blackstock. Apparently, he died the day they taped the performance. Reba reminds her to keep her eyes open during a “story song.”
Aubrey is the country singer who tells emotionally resonate stories. She works the stage as she sings her heart out employing a full, round tone.
Snoop calls it one of her best performances. Reba feels like a proud mama. “You’re beautiful inside and out,” she says.
Jazz McKenzie – Team Bublé – Against All Odds by Phil Collins
Jazz was a 4-chair turn, but Snoop ended up blocked. This song choice used to wind up as a ticket home for singing show contestants. It was kind of a running joke. But not so much in recent years. “Make America cry their faces off,” Michael advises.
Jazz is not a professional, but she sings like one! Her rendition of the song is effortless. She phrases a song without adding too much. She sounds both contemporary and old school. Definitely the best finale performance so far. And here comes the gospel choir.
Michael is nearly in tears! He thanks her for a beautiful performance.
Aiden Ross – Team Niall – Golden Hour by JVKE
Oh, He’s reciting his “letter to music.” He’s ditching Engineering, which he studied in college, for singing. Good for him.
No dancers or choirs for Aiden. He doesn’t need them. It’s a great song choice for this sweet voiced singer. His tone is gorgeous. Following Niall’s advice, he adds dynamics and runs just where they are needed (I hope he wins!) The studio is bathed in smoke!
“This guy is beyond talented,” gushes Niall.
Ralph Edwards – Team Snoop – I Want to Know What Love Is by Foreigner
He tried out for The Voice 11 times! Snoop gave Ralph a necklace to wear during tonight’s performances.
The gospel choir is back out for Ralph, who is employing his robust and heartfelt vocals to a 70s classic. The song sits in his upper register, but he’s pulling it off beautifully.
Snoop is literally speechless. He says. “Thank you Ralph. You never gave up.”
Aubrey Nicole – Team Reba – The Night that the Lights Went Out in Georgia by Reba (Vickie Lawrence)
In Aubrey’s “letter to music” she shares about her family and the friends she met at The Voice.
Aubrey delivers a dramatic telling of this classic song. She works the smokey stage while showing off her big voice.
Reba mentions that she covered Vicki Lawrence’s original rendition from the 70’s.
DEK of Hearts – Team Niall – Let it Go by James Bay
It’s “Dear Music” time for each of the DEK of Hearts members.
OH NOES. Technical difficulties. The poor trio are standing on stage waiting for something as the crew? band? shouts things. But finally, the song begins, and it’s beautiful. It’s a better performance than their first, featuring sweet tender harmonies.
Niall congratulates the group on handling the brief technical “hiccup.” Niall begs America to vote.
Jazz McKenzie – Team Bublé – drivers licence by Olivia Rodrigo
In Jazz’s “letter to music” she shares about her mother, who is also a singer. She thanks her coach. A producer hands Jazz a phone–her mom calls to wish Jazz good luck.
What an out of the box song choice! And Jazz NAILS IT TO THE WALL. Incredible. She can sing anything. She belts out the song, using her raspy voice to full advantage. Risks like this can pay off big time.
Snoop is crying again. Seeing her with her mama choked him up. “You’re meant to be a star,” Michael declares.
Max Chambers – Team Bublé – One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston
Max, at 14, is the youngest singer in the competition. His braces are gone! Max reminds Michael of Shawn Mendes. Which is odd! Max is growing–in stature-and his voice is changing.
The song is a little too big for the young singer and comes off kinda pagenty. He’s a talented entertainer for a child. He’s going to be really great in a few years, probably! But he needs more time to bake.
Michael feels so blessed. “You are a beautiful human being, a star,” he says.
Ralph Edwards – Team Snoop – Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars
The last “dear music” letter of the night! He reminisces about all the times he auditioned for The Voice.
Hm. It’s a solid, fun performance, but his Foreigner cover should have been his last song. This ho-hum number is not an effective performance for a singing show stage.
Snoop calls Ralph “the complete package.”
Aiden Ross – Team Niall – The Winner Takes it all by Abba
Niall’s favorite performance from Aiden so far is “when the party’s over.” Aiden will sing a ballady version of Abba’s “The Winner Takes it All.” This should be good!
It’s the pimp spot for Aiden. Against a piano backdrop, the 20 year old singer delivers a tender and emotional version of the song. Very beautiful. He is so good at phrasing and employing dynamics. He uses his head voice judiciously. C’MON Y’ALL VOTE FOR AIDEN!
Niall is so proud of Aiden! He begs America to vote.
