The Voice UK 2017 Battle Rounds 1 Live Blog (VIDEO)

You can watch The Voice UK live, online. ITV streams the show through the ITV Player. However, ITV blocks viewers from outside of the UK. To get around that, you need to use VPN connection. If Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is your preferred browser, install Hola extension and set them to UK server. Then open the ITV Player, make a free account and pick the right channel. The player will ask you for a ZIP code. Find an active UK ZIP code HERE. Make sure you have the cookies enabled. You can also try to find a working ITV stream on MyiPlayer.com, TVPC.com or FilmON.com.

The Voice UK airs tonight at 8:30pm BST (9:30pm CEST, 3:30pm EDT, 12:30pm PDT) on ITV 1.

The Voice UK 2017 FIRST night of Battle Rounds air on its new channel ITV 1. Season 6’s new coaches Sir Tom Jones, Jennifer Hudson, will.i.am and Gavin Rossdale continue to build their teams.

The coaches are working with their teams at the famed London studio The Beatles made famous, Abbey Road. Each coach can steal ONE eliminated contestant each.

David Jackson vs Israel Allen – Team Jennifer Hudson – It’s Your World by Jennifer Hudson – Jennifer puts two “powerhouse” singers together. Indeed, they are two big guys with big voices. Jennifer has given them one of her own songs to sing. She demonstrates how to sing the runs. David is feeling insecure as Israel nails the ad libs with ease.

The song’s big notes are hard to sing. But she’ll probably pick the confident Israel, who has undoubtedly been singing in church all his life. OH HI HOST. Emma Willis finally makes an appearance on stage with the contestants. Tom says David has more edge. Will liked Israel. Gavin calls the Battle a draw. Oh. The singers have a minute to state their case. Jen is torn. Oh my. She chooses David! Surprising. Jennifer chooses David. Horrible. The eliminated singer just stands there waiting while the coaches decide whether to steal or not. In this case, no steal.

Shakira Lueshing vs Clara Hurtado – Team will.i.am – Waterfalls by TLC but later changed to Bad Blood by Taylor Swift – Shakira is a rapper. Clara is a singer. Hm. The pair struggle with it particularly Shakira. Will comes to believe the song will never work and changes to Swiftie’s “Bad Blood.”

Both are so sparkly! How to judge these two against each other? I’d be inclined to choose the singer, but that’s just me. Gavin felt they were both incredible. Is he ever going to choose. Will thanks Shakira for her rap stylings. Will reminds the girls that Jennifer came in 7th on American Idol. Hey. The girls have to make the finals first. Nevertheless, Will chooses the singer. Will states the case for stealing Shakira. Nobody wants the rapper!

Compared to the US version, these Battles are moving at a clip. I like that.

Bosie vs Keziah Rodell – Team Gavin Rossdale – Why by Annie Lennox – He put the acts together because of their “otherworldly” qualities. Bosie is a male/female duo. Neither act knew the tune. Everyone is nervous.

This is a beautiful song, but hard to sing. Neither act is really doing it justice. Jennifer calls both acts “flawless.” Bosie was a one chair turn. Keziah turned four. So of course, Gavin chooses Keziah. So awkward as the remaining act waits for the steal. Bosie heads home.

Charlie Drew vs Dannii Barnes – Team Tom Jones – Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake – Since his Blind Audition Charlie ran out of money and had to move back home. Dannii was a one chair turn. She struggles in rehearsal. Charlie admits it’s a hard song for a female voice.

Charlie sings with a thick accent. Dannii admits she’s nervous, but is pulling it off. Good lord, Charlie is so out of tune. His falsetto was so good in his audition, but he’s out of control here. Jennifer won’t choose between them. Calling it a “tough one” Tom chooses Dannii. Nobody steals Charlie, unsurprisingly.

Millicent vs Max– Team Gavin – My Favorite Game by The Cardigans – These two are Gavin’s quirky alt rockers. Only one can go through.

Millicent is one of my favorites from the Blinds. I hope she goes through. Max is OK, but there is something about Millie, she just pops off the stage. Will calls Max a “proper weirdo.” Gavin chooses Max. Really? The rest beg Will to steal Millie. But no go. Damn.

Jamie Miller vs Stacey Skeete – Team Jennifer Hudson – Perfect Strangers by Jonas Blue – Jamie and Stacey are friends. She is having a hard time shifting to competitive mode. Jamie sings with passion, and that worries her a little. Jamie is nervous, but it gives his singing “edge” Jennifer thinks. Jennifer stops them. She hears words, but no connection.

This duet has the potential to be out of this world, but the singers don’t have the personality to pull it off. Jamie is crying for some reason. Gavin appreciated Stacey’s dynamic range. Will liked Jamie’s dance moves. Jen says the voice is first, but the performance has to be passionate. Jennifer chooses Jamie. He breaks down into full on sobs. Nobody steals Stacey.

Hadleigh Ford vs Truly Ford – Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac – Team Gavin Rossdale – Her name is really Truly Scrumptious. What the eff. Dumb hippie parents. I think Gavin may identify with this song just a wee little bit.

Truly has an interesting tone, but she’s pitchy. Hadleigh is winning this battle I think. I love the way he phrases the song. Tom thought they both looked really into it. JHud chooses Truly. Gavin thinks they both stepped up. Gavin chooses Truly. Hm. Nobody steals Hadleigh.

Victoria Kerley vs Lia White – Team Will – Final Song by MØ – Two teens. Lia felt her nerves marred her Blind Audition, but she learns the song quickly, which intimidates Victoria. Neither really like the song. Will says it’s a challenge for them both.

These two are pretty evenly matched. The performances could use some edge, though. This song needs punch to work. Irony probably drove Will to choose the song. Tom chooses Victoria–he felt Lia sounded a little nervous. Will chooses Lia. She feels the crowd was on Victoria’s side. She has a confidence problem. TOM STEALS VICTORIA. Tom admits he’s had his eye on Victoria.

Lucy Kane vs Nadine McGhee – Team Tom Jones – Still Falling for You – by Ellie Goulding changed to Time after Time by Cyndi Lauper – Lucy’s parents are well-known actors. Nadine works in a call center. Tom thinks they’re both rushing it. He gives up and changes the song to Time after Time. The girls are relieved.

The song change was key. They’re both connecting here. Maybe not to each other. A couple of pitch issues though. Maybe they should have pulled back on the runs. Yikes. Oversinging. Jennifer liked both for different reasons. Tom notes Lucy’s professionalism, but appreciates Nadine’s honesty. Tom chooses Nadine Nobody steals Lucy.

Mo vs Diamond – Team Jennifer Hudson – A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke – Diamond works at McDonalds. Jhud explains that a singer has to find their personal meaning in a song. Mo has a chest infection. Oh. His voice is cracking. She suggests Mo work with what he has in the moment.

They’re both good. It’s the last performance of the night. Somebody is getting stolen. Mo is working around his infection effectively. He can’t hit the big high notes. But his rasp sounds world weary. I’d give him the battle. Diamond is in tears. Will felt Diamond held her own. Jennifer chooses Mo. Gavin Steals Diamond

I die a small death during the US Battle Rounds. The duets are often incredible, but six performances in a 2 hour show. NEED MORE SINGING. The Voice UK strikes a perfect balance. There’s no repeat of background information–we see key moments in the mentoring session and it’s on to the actual Battle.

But once again–the UK version is crueler. In the US version, the time to steal is while the contestant thanks her coach. Here, the eliminated singer is given a chance to beg for her life before standing awkwardly while the coaches (mostly) don’t steal her. Mean.

The Battles end tomorrow. Note: The show begins at 2 pm ET/7 PM GMT.

About mj santilli 34853 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!