The Voice UK 2017 Blind Auditions 5 Live Blog (VIDEO)

The Voice UK airs tonight at 8:00pm BST (9:00pm CEST, 3:00pm EDT, 12:00pm PDT) on ITV 1.

The Voice UK 2017 fifth night of Blind Auditions 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.

Shakira Lueshing – Freak of the Week – She’s twenty eight years old and a full-time single mom from South London. Oh boy. She’s a rapper. Shakira isn’t Honey G levels of ridiculous, but she’s not very good, either. I wonder who will turn for this. “I’m looking for a voice,” says Jennifer. Welp. Not her. The other coaches glance at Will. He pushes his button at the last second…but slips out of his chair before it turns, so it’s empty. Jennifer calls her “dope” and “brave.” Gavin loved it too, but he was waiting for her to sing. “You don’t have to sing to have a career in the music industry,” says Will. Chyeah. He likes that she came out and did the total opposite of what the show is supposedly about. OK then. The host brings out her 2 1/2 year old baby. She’s a real cutie. Team Will

Lawrence Hill – Save the Night – Twenty-five year old dude had a day job, but he left it all behind to sling a guitar. Why is Will writing on his button? He’s a weirdo. Lawrence is an Ed Sheeran like white dude with a guitar. He’s OK, but nothing spectacular. He’s better singing in full voice, but still rather generic. HA HA HA HA. Will, still playing with his button, PUSHES IT BY MISTAKE. DUDE. Stuck with a mediocre singer. Oh well. Battle Round cannon fodder! Will actually explains to the singer that he was trying to rub off the face he drew on the button. Dude takes it well. “I’ll take it.” Will calls it “Destiny.” Jennifer calls him “Crazy.” – Team Will

Tom Johnston – Hometown Glory by Adele – Twenty two year old lives with his parents and loves to practice in the toilet. OK then. He works as a youth worker, holding music workshops. He’s got a Sam Smith vibe going. Not bad. His voice could be a little silkier. But it’s strong. He hits some nice falsetto notes. It’s a little pitchy, though. Will anybody turn? Nope. He looks so sad. Remember: Nobody turns, nobody talks and the singer is left to leave the stage on his own. Tom and Jennifer admit they almost turned. Will thought he was “off.” Aw. Tom is crying after being rejected. In a bid not to be hated, Gavin explains to the audience that the coaches do feel for the contestants they don’t turn for. – No Turns

Zara Okro – Alive by Pearl Jam – Seventeen year old lives with her mom and brother. She’s never performed in front of people and she’s very nervous. Interesting. She’s got a deep alto and is singing a Pearl Jam song. Did not expect that from a young black woman. She’s got an interesting tone, but needs to be bolder. Too tentative. It’s an issue that experience would likely fix. Pitch issues galore. Nobody turned. She needs to work on her vocal and come back. She’s got potential. The singer blames herself and her nerves. Gavin is a little sorry he didn’t turn. She’s crying backstage poor thing. Now, if this was the American version, the coaches would have encouraged her to work on her vocals and return. – No Turn

Bosie – Wicked Game by Chris Isaak – Twenty one year old male/female duo. Both insist they aren’t a romantic couple. “No point in complicating things.” They have an ethereal sound–but their voices aren’t compelling. Gavin is interested…will he push his button? Yes. Gavin turns. He doesn’t love their name–which is some kind of Scottish slang. Jennifer calls their sound “beautiful.” “You are the elixir I needed,” says Gavin. – Team Gavin

Scarlett Thomas-Perry – Syrup and Honey by Duffy – Twenty two year old paralegal by day, she hosts princess parties for kids on the weekends. Her mom runs a bridal shop and helps out with the dresses. She loves her legal career, but really dreams about a career in music. She’s got an interesting tone, but it’s a little warbly. These singers need more swag and confidence. Again, another singer with potential. BUT NO TURNS. Oh well. Mum is backstage crying. Will thinks nerves were 100% her problem.

Dannii Barnes – Tears by Clean Bandit – Twenty year old works in a duty shop. At least she’s mostly on key. She’s singing the rap bridge. Not bad. Compared to everyone else today, she’s probably the best. Geez. Will someone turn? Tom pushes his button at the last minute. Jennifer felt there were “too many things going on.” She almost turned. For the same reason, Gavin had a problem connecting. Tom thinks she has great potential. – Team Tom

Lisa Kane – Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by Shirrells/Carole King – Twenty year old has sung forever! She comes from a family of entertainers. Her parents are semi-famous. This one seems to actually have some experience. She has a sweet tone and delivery. She could cut back on the runs, though. At least, she seems confident. She hits a big giant note…and Tom turns. Then Gavin. She can’t finish the song through tears. “You sing beautifully,” says Gavin. She’s moved because Tom turned. Tom mentions that he toured with the Shirelles in 1965. Of course, she chooses Team Tom. He reminds her of dad, who is also a singer. When Lisa mentions her boyfriend is backstage, Tom pretends to be disappointed. EEP. He swears he’s only kidding. Hm.

Cherry Bomb – Diamonds are Forever by Shirley Bassey – She’s a forty year old and wants to become as big a star as possible! She’s so old fashioned. Oh lord. She’s excruciatingly off key. The end. Nobody turned. That was BAD. – No Turns

Israel Allen – And I Am Telling You by Jennifer Hudson – He’s a musical director at his church. He was shy as a kid, but no more! Well, he’s brave, taking a shot at Jennifer’s signature song. He LOVES her. His singing is…rough. He lacks control and strength. His tone is irritating. Jennifer is having a tough time deciding whether to turn or not, but when Israel shouts out her name, she hits that button. Gavin pushes his button too. Why did he even bother? Gavin calls him “incredible.” Will compliments the “DM” he sent to Jennifer. Oh. Social media speak. Jennifer gets up and demonstrates how she made the song her own. They sing a bit together. The coaching has already started. Gavin lamely tries to woo him, but it’s no good – Israel chooses Team Jennifer

Big differences between the UK and US versions of The Voice: The UK version rarely casts experienced singers, unlike The Voice in the US which relies heavily on artists who need a second chance, have been gigging for years, come from famous families, etc. The UK hopefuls are mostly newbies…and it shows. The standout singers are few and far between.

Also, the US version uses the tension between the coaches as they woo singers on to their teams to great dramatic effect. One chair turns are often montaged in the US. Singers who fail to turn a chair are rarely highlighted. In the UK, it’s the reverse. Tension comes from NO CHAIRS turning, due to the “no turns not talk” twist which leaves unchosen singers standing on stage alone to see themselves out. The gimmick isn’t really working. The warm and fuzzy Voice US, which prides itself on coddling and lifting up the talent, would never go there.

There are NO montaged blind auditions in the UK. Episodes are filled with no turn and one turn singers. Three and four chair turns generally happen once or twice an episode, near the end of the show. It creates a really odd dynamic. There isn’t a ton of chemistry between the coaches. Come to think of it, that may be why the episodes don’t revolve around the coaches battling for talent.